The Sarah?s Vineyard Estate Chardonnay is our most historic wine, having engendered our world class reputation for this noble grape from our very first vintages in the late 1970s. Fittingly then, we have designated this latest version as our official fortieth anniversary release! Barrel fermented with secondary malolactic conversion
induced. The wine was aged for eleven months in small French oak cooperage with twice-monthly stirring of the lees.
Winemaker Tim Slater?s tasting log describes this Estate-grown gem: Notes of fresh green and yellow apples with white pears and peaches, accented with lemongrass and a touch of warm shortbread cookies. The finish shows a lengthy vanilla bean character alongside sweet almond cream. Pair with this shipment?s recipe for homemade pea, leak, and goat cheese tart. Only 330 cases were produced.
Apple, stone fruits, and spice – our 2016 Estate Chardonnay is equal parts
power and finesse. The result of a classic vineyard in its prime. Notes of fresh
yellow and green apples with coconut vanilla bean and nutmeg on the nose.
On the palate, the up front apple notes carry through, with white peach and
pear. The lemongrass and white floral notes blend well into a citrus and
vanilla oak finish. Pair with a scallop risotto or a soft brie and fresh cut pears.
The ‘16 S.V. Estate Chardonnay will also prove a nice match with roast
chicken, salmon, or cream-sauced pastas.
After hand sorting, the free run and light press juice began primary fermentation using yeast D254 in French oak barrels. Malo-lactic fermentation was induced. The wine was aged for eleven months in small French oak cooperage, twenty-five percent of which was new wood. The lees were “stirred” in each barrel twice monthly. The Estate Chardonnay was bottled in late July of 2017.
Appellation: Santa Clara Valley
Vineyard: Sarah's Estate
Grower: Tim Slater
Harvest Date: September 22, 2016
Alcohol: 14.3
Cooperage: French oak 25% new, 11 months
Bottling Date: July 2017
