BV Coastal Estates Chardonnay, California 07

Tasting Notes:
Wafts of apple pie emanate from the 2007 Chardonnay, followed by baked pear, vanilla and toasty oak. Warm fall fruits hold the center with good weight and well-balanced mouthfeel, accented by hints of baking spice. The entry is sweet and the finish dry and crisp. The inviting flavors and supple body match well to a variety of dishes, including scallops in a burre blanc, herb-roasted chicken, and creamy fettucine alfredo.

Winemaker Jim Corkin utilized several techniques to achieve a complex Chardonnay that offered the “best bang for the buck.” After the grapes were pressed clear from their skins, they underwent cool fermentation in stainless steel with partial oak contact to bring forward the pear and apple pie flavors. Approximately fifty-percent of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation, converting the tart malic acid to creamy lactic acids. Extended lees aging with weekly stirring added weight and depth as well as buttery “biscuit” undertones.

Vineyard Notes:
Grapes for the 2007 Chardonnay come from vineyards throughout the Central Coast, Lodi and Clarksburg. The cool maritime climate of the coast imparts fresh nectarine and citrus characters. The more inland vineyards Lodi and Clarksburg get a cool breeze from the delta winds to balance the warm days with cooler evenings. A prominent Chardonnay area, the fruit harvested here has good weight with baked apple and pear character.

Production Notes:
California

Winemaker Notes:
There’s one word to describe California’s 2007 vintage—spectacular! 2007 began with lower-than-average winter rainfall and a warm spring that encouraged early budbreak. Moderate temperatures prevailed throughout the growing season for even ripening and development of good sugar-to-acid ratios. These conditions also fostered small, concentrated grapes that gave vibrant flavors to our Chardonnay. Overall, grape quality was high with ripe, lush flavors balanced with lively acidity.