Belle Pente Vineyard Chardonnay

Belle Pente Vineyard and Winery

From the winemaker:

This Chardonnay is 100% estate grown in a little 2 acre parcel planted in 1999 on a steep slope with rows running up & down the hill from north-east to south-west. Like many of our neighbors, we are gravitating to 100% barrel fermentation, but with very modest use of new oak, typically in the 10-20% range.

The wine spends a full year in barrel and often several months in tank before bottling, and is given at least a year in the bottle before release. There are two harvests for Chardonnay: an early pick for fresh, citrus qualities, and a later pick for riper, tropical characteristics. In this warm 2016 vintage, the blend includes 60% from the early pick and 40% from the later pick. Echoing past vintages, this combination yields a dual personality of freshness and richness.

Enjoy this terrific full-bodied white now and for the next several years with rich seafood dishes, fresh garden pesto, and lightly smoked meats.