2013 Bethel Heights Chardonnay Estate Eola Amity

Dates picked: September 27, 2013

Grapes at harvest: Brix 21.3, pH 3.15, TA 6.5 gr/Liter

Finished wine: Alcohol 12.6%, pH: 3.25, TA: 5.9 gr/Liter

Fermented and aged in French oak, 20% new wood

Bottled unfined on August 6, 2014

Cases produced: 1084 cases 750ml, 100 cases 375ml

THE 2013 VINTAGE through most of the growing season was on track to be become another warm, early, plump vintage like 2012. Early budbreak, early bloom, and a warm summer meant that at Bethel Heights by mid-September most of our white grapes were an obvious choice for an early pick. Thus all of our Chardonnay was in the door before the famous 2013 rain event that interrupted our harvest at the end of September.

VINIFICATION: The fruit was whole-cluster pressed, barrel fermented in neutral 500L oak puncheons, traditional 228 Lbarrels, and one 3000L foudre (a big oval shaped oak tank). The new wine was aged on the lees with complete malolactic fermentation, and bottled after ten months in barrel.

TASTING NOTES: Our 2013 Estate Chardonnay has all of the characteristics we look for from truly great vintages: energy, tension between the acidity and fruit, and a long harmonious finish. This wine should age gracefully over the next five to seven years