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California Chardonnay

California Chardonnay Wine Details
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Description: 2002 was an extraordinary year with near perfect growing conditions in the Napa Valley. Moderate to cool temperatures in spring and early summer gave way to cooler-than-normal July and August which slowed ripening and caused many growers to drop some of their bunches to ensure ripening of the remainder. This concentrated flavors in the 2002 harvest.

Varietal Definition
Chardonnay:
Chardonnay is by far the most widely planted grape crop in California and dominates California’s cooler, coastal, quality wine regions. The natural varietal ‘taste and smell’ of Chardonnay is surprisingly unfamiliar to many wine drinkers, as its true character is often guised with dominating winemaking signatures. Chardonnay’s rather subdued primary fruit characteristics lean toward the crisp fruitiness of apples, pears and lemon, but the variety’s full body is capable of supporting a host of complementary characteristics, such as oak, butter and vanilla. Regardless of what is the appropriate style for Chardonnay, the varietal continues to dominate vineyard plantings in every corner of the world. Close attention to clonal selection has made this broad geographic and climactic range of Chardonnay viable in thoughtful viticultural hands.


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