< 2004 Chalk Hill Chairman's Club Chardonnay
COMPLETE TASTING NOTES
Only two barrels of this wine were crafted exclusively for the Chalk Hill Chairman’s Club. This wine is a laser-point expression of our Founder’s Block, showcasing the bright, pure essence of the Chardonnay fruit from that unique site. Illustrating unmistakable quality and uncompromising grape growing efforts, this wine exhibits unmasked Chardonnay fruit, yet layered with and framed by seamlessly
integrated oak. In 2004, the Chardonnay vineyards on the estate slowly advanced to full maturity, gaining richness, weight, and flavor concentration. After hand-harvesting with the utmost care, the bunches were shepherded through our traditional, Burgundian-style winemaking. The entire vintage was allowed to progress in barrel through both 100% native yeast fermentations and native malolactic fermentations that imparted layers of texture and complexity. Aged for sixteen months in 50% new, medium-toast, Allier forest oak from François Frères, this wine boasts intense aromas of tropical fruit, lychee, brown spice, hazelnut and caramel. The combination of richness and elegance is evidenced by flavors of mango and honeysuckle. The crisp, fresh acidity makes it an ideal food wine, and indicates the promise that additional cellar time will be a reward. To preserve every possible nuance in this wine, it was neither fined nor filtered
REVIEW
Wine Enthusiast awards the 2004 Chalk Hill Chairman's Club Chardonnay 95 Points
Complete Review
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
- Blend:
- 100% Chardonnay
- Vineyard:
- 100% Founder's Block, Chalk Hill Estate
- Appellation:
- 100% Chalk Hill Appellation, Russian River Valley
- Ageing:
- Sixteen Months sur lie, Monthly Batonage, 50% New French Oak
- Fermentation:
- 100% in Barrel, 100% Native Yeasts, 100% Malolactic
- Harvested:
- September 10, 2004
- Bottled:
- February 15, 2006
