2014 Chappellet Chardonnay

Our Napa Valley Chardonnay is made using fruit grown on elite vine-yards  in  some  of  the  coolest  regions  of  Napa  Valley.  The  majority  of  the grapes come from Kelly Ranch, which overlooks the San Pablo Bay, where marine influences and shallow soils composed of clay and gravel create  optimal  growing  conditions  for  Chardonnay.  To  add  depth  and  complexity,  the  2014  vintage  also  includes  fruit  from  Poe  Vineyard  in  Napa-Carneros  and  Red  Hen  Vineyard  in  Oak  Knoll.  This  wine  was  aged on its lees for eight months in one-third new French oak barrels.   For added texture and viscosity, a significant portion of the wine under-went malolactic fermentation.

For the third year in a row, Mother Nature provided exceptional growing conditions. In fact, our Vineyard Manager Dave Pirio believes that 2012,  2013  and  2014  may  be  the  finest  run  of  growing  seasons  he  has  seen in his more than 30 years of farming Pritchard Hill. While 2014 offered lovely temperate, mid-season weather that was ideal for our early ripening varieties, it also brought ample warmth in September and October, ensuring  perfect  ripeness  in  our  late-ripening  grapes.  With no  threat  of  rain  or  significant  heat  events,  the  fruit  was  harvested  at  an  unhurried  pace  in  pristine  condition.  Overall, our  yields  were  down  slightly from 2013, resulting in beautiful depth and concentration.

This lovely Chardonnay offers a delicious blend of fresh fruit, floral aromas and delicate spice. On the nose, notes of clove and nutmeg lead to layers of apple, pear, quince, orange peel and Meyer lemon. The palate is lively and fresh, with crisp acidity and mineral tones adding brightness and length to flavors of citrus, apple, fresh cream and French oak. Hints of hazelnut and toasted bread linger on the long, satisfying finish.