| 2009
Napa Valley Chardonnay - Inaugural
Release
((( back
After 11 years of handcrafting Buoncristiani Reds, we are pleased to
offer this inaugural Chardonnay to our loyal followers. As with everything
in the wine industry, patience is the key to success, and after several
years of searching for the right source for the Buoncristiani Chardonnay
we finally found the perfect blocks. The 2009 vintage is the start of
many future vintages of our own Chardonnay expression, which focuses
primarily on fruit, minerality and balanced acidity, with secondary
flavors of integrated new French oak richness framed by a full mid palate
and a lingering finish.
Harvest
timing was essential, allowing for full flavor development, acid balance,
and optimum ripeness. Once the desired flavors were at their peak, the
fruit was hand harvested in the early cold morning and gently whole
cluster pressed. The juice was then slowly fermented by both native
and specially selected yeast in a combination of new and twice used
French oak barrels and small stainless steel drums. Upon dryness, weekly
barrel stirring of the lees commenced to increase the complexity of
the aromas and mouthfeel. Only 28% of the secondary malolactic fermentation
was allowed, thus giving the final wine’s profile a beautiful balance
between richness, intense fruit and crisp acidity in the long finish
as we desired.
Following
10 months of sur lie aging we obtained a distinguished harmony between
the multiple components during blending trials. It was finally time
to capture our ideal profile. We folded the best fit barrels together
and with excitement bottled the first of many Buoncristiani Chardonnays.
Salute!
|
| PRIMARY
FERMENTATION |
Barrel
fermented using Native and Selected Yeast |
| SECONDARY
FERMENTATION |
Only 28% Malolactic Fermentation allowed |
| BARREL
REGIME |
10%
Stainless Steel, 45% 3 year old French Oak Barrels, 45% New French
Oak |
| AGING |
10
months Sur Lie Barrel Aged |
| CASES |
225 |
|
