theCompass
 Home   Map   Blog Roll   WineCompass   Wine 101   My Compass 

Chardonnay

Reserve Chardonnay Wine Details
Price: $13.99 per bottle

Description: Only the free run juice was utilized with fermentation and aging in French, Hungarian & American oak barrels (50% new, 50% one year old). Total time in oak was 10 months, during which time all barrels were stirred and topped off every two weeks. The blend was assembled, lightly fined and then bottled. This is truly a magnificent Chardonnay with aromas that follow through to the mouthfilling palate of fine, rich citrus and tropical fruits that are beautifully entwined with the quality oak. The lengthy finish is stunningly rich, with penetrating layers of grapefruit and soft spicy mineral tones. Gorgeous. This wine is ready for drinking now! Bronze Medal 2002 Arkansas State Fair.

Varietal Definition
Chardonnay:
Chardonnay is by far the most widely planted grape crop in California and dominates California’s cooler, coastal, quality wine regions. The natural varietal ‘taste and smell’ of Chardonnay is surprisingly unfamiliar to many wine drinkers, as its true character is often guised with dominating winemaking signatures. Chardonnay’s rather subdued primary fruit characteristics lean toward the crisp fruitiness of apples, pears and lemon, but the variety’s full body is capable of supporting a host of complementary characteristics, such as oak, butter and vanilla. Regardless of what is the appropriate style for Chardonnay, the varietal continues to dominate vineyard plantings in every corner of the world. Close attention to clonal selection has made this broad geographic and climactic range of Chardonnay viable in thoughtful viticultural hands.


Reviews




Back to Chateux Aux Arc information