Product Description
Pairs well with Chicken , White Fish , Shell Fish , Poultry , Mushrooms
Wine Tasting NotesOur 2008 Bench Blend Chardonnay is creamy and complex, displaying intense fruit aromas and flavors of white peach and ripe pear. The stone fruit combine with toasty oak, vanilla and coconut notes that extend through the rich, lingering finish.Viticulture NotesA dry winter and cool, dry spring began the 2008 growing season. An early frost affected some vineyards during budbreak, reducing yields. The weather remained fairly mild through the summer, though some heat spikes occurred before harvest. Despite these challenges, the weather settled, allowing wineries to wait until the perfect point of ripeness to harvest each varietal. While yields were quite low compared to past vintages, the harvest produced exceptional quality fruit, with great complexity and concentration.Winemaker NotesThe Chardonnay grapes were hand harvested and then gently pressed as whole clusters prior to fermentation to maintain varietal aromas and flavors. Grape solids were left in the fermenting juice to add complexity and style. After primary fermentation was complete, the wine underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel in order to enrich the mouthfeel and further add complexity to the finished wine. The Chardonnay wine was aged in 40% used European oak barrels and 60% new French oak barrels from esteemed coopers such as Dargaud & Jaegle and Billon. The wine was filtered and fined and bottle aged 6 months prior to release.