Chalk Hill Estate

WINEMAKER'S NOTES

The 1995 Chardonnay harvest was one of the latest ever. Vines had ample time to ripen the fruit, with flavor maturity and sugar accumulation coinciding perfectly. After whole cluster pressing, the juice was settled and racked to barrel. Fermentation occurred with natural yeasts to encourage complexity of flavor. The new wine was then stirred weekly. Natural malolactic fermentation ensued two to three months after the primary, and stirring continued until this secondary fermentation was complete. The wine was aged sur lies for eight months, then racked and blended in June 1996, and bottled soon after.
Complete Winemaker Notes

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Blend:

100% Chardonnay

Vineyard:

Estate

Appelation:

Chalk Hill

Ageing:

Eight months in sur lies,32% new oak

Fermentation:

100% in barrel, 100% natural yeasts, 100% natural malolactic

Harvested:

September 32-October 26, 1995, Brix 22.6°, T.A. 6.96 g/l, pH 3.29

Bottled:

July-August 1996, T.A. 6.0 g/l, pH 3.39

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