~ Chardonnay ~
Why Chardonnay?
Karen has been itching to make a Chardonnay for years. She loves examples from cooler areas with good acid, luscious fruit, with a backdrop of striking minerality. With the fog soaked Anderson Valley floor a four minute drive from the winery we had a plethora of vineyards to choose from. Five years later while having a casual conversation with one of our grower friends she mentioned she would have a little Chardonnay available that season. We walked the vineyard and made a call on the way home to source some Chardonnay barrels.
Tasting Notes
From the first pour to the last drop, the characteristic that distinguishes this lively and refreshing Chardonnay is its crisp, acid-etched mineral backbone. The nose lacks the butter of a typical California Chardonnay and instead offers a fruit basket of inviting aromas. It arrives on the palate like a fresh apple and pear tart with a squeeze of lemon, lightly spiced with clove and nutmeg. The flint-and-mineral character of the palate is softened by eight months in French oak, which has also added layers of toast and vanilla and a hint of marzipan.
‘09 Meyer Family Chardonnay Facts
Appellation: Anderson Valley, Donnelly Vineyard
Harvest Date: Sept. 17th and 29th, 2009
Barrel Age: 8 months
Alcohol by Volume: 13.2%
Bottle Price: $22
158 cases made