2005 Chardonnay
Carneros
Blend
100% Chardonnay
Production
2400 cases
The Vintage
Whitehall Lane selected exceptional fruit from a small Chardonnay block in the Sangiacomo Vineyard in Sonoma's Carneros region to make this chardonnay. A very wet and cool spring was followed by a mild summer and temperate fall in 2005. With all of the moisture in the soil after the winter and spring rains, the grape clusters grew large and leaf canopy grew with vigor through the summer. Leafing and thinning was the routine in the vineyards in 2005 to keep the ripening process on track.
The moderate growing season provided for slow and steady grape development throughout the summer and by the middle of September, the Chardonnay grapes were handpicked at optimum ripeness.
Winemaking
The wine was barrel fermented in 35% new and 65% one-year-old French oak barrels. It was aged on the yeast lees for seven months. Approximately a little more than one-third of the wine was put through malo-lactic fermentation to enhance the wine's aroma and mid-palate of classic Carneros Chardonnay while retaining crispness and varietal characteristics.
Tasting Notes
This offering has complex aromas of lemon, pineapple, some butterscotch and a hint of oak. The wine is medium to full bodied with crisp citrus, apple and fancy oak flavors. It has a long, lingering and flavorful finish.