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Classic Tier Reserve Tier Limited Release Wines
Albariño
Carneros Estate Cabernet Franc
Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Alexander Valley Chardonnay
Carneros Chardonnay
Napa Valley Gewurztraminer
San Benito County
Select Late Harvest Pinot Noir
Carneros


Carneros Chardonnay
  Artesa's Carneros Estate Chardonnay vineyards hang on the hillsides around the winery on teh foothills of Mount Veeder. This wine comes from several of the highest elevation vineyards in Carneros. The great drainage of our blocks insures intensely flavored small berries and moderate yields. Temperatures are moderated by the adjoining San Pablo Bay, cool afternoon breezes and persistent morning fog. As the hot air above California's Central Valley rises, it is replaced by cool air from the Pacific Ocean. These chilly winds make their way through gaps in the coastal mountain ranges and through Carneros every summer afternoon. These winds also bring in a thick maritime fog. The sun burns off this fog late in the morning, causing the temperature to immediately jump 15 degrees. This climate yields grapes that have enough cool hang time to develop a wonderful depth of flavor with great natural acid.

Winemaking
Gently hand harvested, the grapes were whole cluster pressed. Most lots were inoculated with one of several yeast strains; some lots went through uninoculated fermentations. This wine was barrel fermented with sur lees stirring and aging. This wine has undergone a secondary malolactic fermentation to enhance its buttery creaminess.

Tasting Notes
A deep rich complex wine in the finest Burgundian tradition with bright Carneros fruit. Aromatically and by mouth, this wine is full of lemon, peach and apple blossom complemented with nuances of honeydew melon, mango, and whisps of kiwi and lime. Beautifully multi-layered and elegant, this wine also has some oaky smoke, spice and triple creme cheese that melts into a lingering vanilla and caramel finish. Structured to age gracefully, the gentle tingle of acid keeps the fruit vibrant during the entire taste.

756 cases produced
Alcohol content, 14.5% by volume