2016 Haire Vineyard Chardonnay
2016 Haire Vineyard Chardonnay
Description
HARVEST & WINEMAKING
The 2016 vintage was as textbook a season as Napa Valley has had. We had a return to average winter rainfall with steady rain all winter. Bud break was slightly earlier and fruit set was solid. Summer saw the return to the characteristic Napa Valley fog that cooled down the night time temperatures but burned off about midday to allow daytime temperatures to rise for perfect grape ripening weather. Harvest was steady-paced, ending in mid-October with cooler, wet weather.
These Chardonnay grapes come from the Haire Vineyard in Carneros, Napa Valley. The vineyard is planted to old Wente clone and Robert Young clone. The Wente clone produces small, flavorful berries mixed in between larger berries which is referred to as ‘bee bees and baseballs.’ These smaller, seedless berries give extra flavor intensity to the finished wine, while the Robert Young clone provides a mineral backbone. Fruit was harvested September 27 and 28, 2016, at 24.5 and 25.1 brix, respectively. Cool fermentation began in stainless steel tanks and completed in 100% French Oak Barrels with 45% New French Oak. The wine was bottled in February 2017 and released in March 2017. The wine was stirred on lees twice a month for 10 months and was barrel aged 16 months. The Chardonnay went through 20% malolactic fermentation and was bottled in February 2018.
| Download Wine Notes | |
| Vintage | 2016 |
|---|---|
| Wine Style | White Wine |
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Varietal Composition | 100% Chardonnay |
| Appellation | Los Carneros |
| Acid | 6.4 g/L |
| PH | 3.66 |
| Barrel Aging | 10 Months 45% New French Oak |
| Bottling Date | February 2018 |
| Alcohol % | 14.5 |
| Size | 750 ml |