Chardonnay USA

Question 1

‘Seven Springs - La Source’, Evening Land (Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon)

Answer 1

Drinks like Chablis.
Green apple, underripe peach, and crushed rocks
refreshing with great acidity

Question 2

Hyde de Villaine (Carneros, CA)

Answer 2

Opulent aromas of cooked apple, lemon, and stone.
Full-bodied with lively acidity that runs through the wine. Energetic and bright with tightness and structure. Steely.

The wine is fermented and aged in 15% new oak, foudres, and concrete eggs, for 18 months with no stirring, until bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Question 3

‘Les Noisetiers’, Kistler (Sonoma Coast, CA)

Answer 3

Rich, complex smoky aroma of ripe fruit in a pleasing, Meursault-like style.
Intense ripe fruit flavors underpinned with toasty oak and smoky flavors. Has crisp acidity & lingering finish.

Question 4

Ma Belle Fille’, Peter Michael (Knights Valley, CA)

Answer 4

Vibrant nose of jasmine, orange blossom, vanilla custard. The creamy, rich entry showing hints of vanilla bean, followed by an intensely opulent, mineral-driven mid-palate. Long, round, mouthwatering finish.

Blend: 100% Estate Chardonnay
Aged 12 months in 100% French oak barrels from select artisan coopers
Bottled unfined and unfiltered

Question 5

Sandhi

Answer 5

The wine has aromas of Meyer lemon peel and pith with hints of raw ginger, honey, and green apple, crushed white rock. Focused and bright saline finish. Steely.

Question 6

Sanford & Benedict’, Tyler (Santa Barbara, CA)

Answer 6

White flowers, mint, lemon peel, orchard fruit.
The medium-bodied palate has rounded acidity and chalky mineral character driving the extended finish.

15% new oak. No battonage
and full ML. Left on lees for 10 months before going back to tank for an additional few months of aging.

Question 7

Estate Staglin

Answer 7

47% new oak