World renowned. Washington grown.
2005 Grand Estates Chardonnay
90 pts - Wine Spectator
Tasting Notes
“Intense aromas of apple and pear lead into hints of melon and creamy butter on the palate in this refined Chardonnay. The lingering finish is a lush balance of wood, carmelized sugar, and fruit.” -Ray Einberger, Winemaker
Growing Season
- August 15 marked the beginning of the earliest harvest on record.
- Warm summer months contributed to the uniformity of berry maturation.
- A temperature drop in late summer cooled the vineyards and allowed the grapes extra hang time to enhance flavor and aromatic development.
- Moderate weather conditions during harvest contributed to mature fruit with intense flavors, good sugar development, and high natural acidity across varietals.
Vineyards
- Vineyards are seated east of the Cascade Mountain range. Up to 14,000 feet high, the mountains effectively block eastward-moving wet weather systems from the Pacific Ocean.
- Just 6 to 8 inches of rainfall reach the growing region annually. Vineyards are 100% drip irrigation.
- The soils have low fertility and low water-holding capacity, allowing precise control of vine growth patterns.
- Vines are planted north to south on south and southeast facing slopes.
Vinification
- Whole berry Chardonnay was pressed, and the juice was held at 50 degrees in stainless steel tanks for two days.
- The settled juice was paced into a combination of new and one- to three-year-old American and French oak barrels.
- After initial fermentation, t was re-inoculated to begin malolactic fermentation.
- All barrels were stirred by hand every week for six months.
- Blending occurred after a total of nine months in the barrel.
Technical Data
- Total acidity: 0.56 g/100ml
- pH: 3.49
- Alcohol: 13.8%
- Sugars: .07 g/100mL