Artesa Vineyards & Winery - Carneros Reserve Chardonnay

Classic Tier Reserve Tier Limited Release Wines

Cabernet Franc
Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 3-Liter Chardonnay
Carneros Chardonnay
Napa Valley

Chardonnay Reserve
Carneros Gewurztraminer
San Benito County
Select Late Harvest Pinot Noir
Carneros 3-Liter Pinot Noir
Russian River Valley Syrah
Sonoma Valley

Eighty of the 150 acres of our estate vineyards, located on gently rolling hills in northern Carneros, are planted to Chardonnay. The plantings date from 1990 to 1992 and include eleven clones and selections. Some vines are cordon-pruned; most are cane-pruned with moveable vertical trellises. Very small quantities of fruit were also included from three southern Napa and Carneros vineyards.

Winemaking
After hand-harvesting, the lots were either de-stemmed only (whole berries) or went directly to press as whole clusters. Most lots were inoculated with one of several yeast strains; some lots went through uninoculated fermentations. This wine completed malolactic fermentation in barrel. The yeast lees were stirred daily, then weekly, bi-weekly and monthly, and the wine was racked from barrel just prior to bottling. The Reserve is the result of a barrel-by-barrel selection of the richest, most complex lots, the highest expression of the vintage.

Tasting Notes
Aromas of ripe pear, citrus zest, baked apple, cinnamon, vanilla, and toasted almonds. On the mouth, ripe apple, vanilla, and spice with a rich, creamy texture and lively citrus finish.

Alcohol content, 15.3% by volume
720 cases produced