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2006 Reserve Chardonnay

Tasting Notes
“This Chardonnay from the Horse Heaven Hills presents heady aromas of apples and pears with beautiful nuances of spice, brown sugar, toast, coconut and vanilla. Rich, ripe fruit flavors are enhanced by a hint of butter and creaminess on the palate followed by a perfectly balanced, lush and lingering finish.”
— Ray Einberger, Winemaker

Growing Season

  • The 2006 growing season was marked by extreme weather patterns. Spring was wet and cooler than normal, followed by a long, dry and hot summer.
  • These factors contributed to excellent acid levels in the grapes, balanced canopies and small berries.
  • The warmer parts of the Horse Heaven Hills and Wahluke Slope saw early ripening and bold flavors from the high temperatures.
  • In cooler growing areas, later ripening prompted good acidity and flavor in white varietals.

Vineyards

  • The fruit for the Reserve Chardonnay is picked by hand from Columbia Crest’s select Estate vineyards located on the Horse Heaven Hills.
  • The vintage’s balance between warm daytime temperatures and cooler evenings concentrated aromatics and enhanced complexity.
  • The appellation’s low rainfall stressed the vines, yielding concentrated fruit with depth and varietal expression.

Vinification

  • Hand-picked grapes were held separately for vinification.
  • Grapes were pressed, and the juice cold settled for two days before racking into new Burgundian-style barrels.
  • Barrel fermentation lasted approximately one month, followed by malolactic fermentation.
  • The wine aged for over 14 months in barrels, which were hand-stirred weekly during the first 12 months.

Technical Data

  • Total acidity: 0.53 g/100ml
  • pH: 3.59
  • Alcohol: 14.2%

 

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