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Wine Details
Price:
$45.00 per bottle
Description:
From the day of harvest we knew this Chardonnay would be exquisite. The loose, child's-fist sized clusters have yielded up intense, elegant flavors. The nose offers notes of spicy vanilla, hay, pineapple and sweet, well-integrated oak. The palate weight is the richest to date, spreading into crème brulée and wildflower honey. The long velvety smooth finish is enhanced by the framing acidity and wet stone character of the Dijon clones. Even with the terrific richness, the acids provide balance to allow this wine to be consumed quite easily either with food or on its own. The 2002 Natalie is drinkable now, but should only improve over the next five years with proper cellaring.
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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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