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Prince Michel Chardonnay 2006

Prince Michel Chardonnay 2006 Wine Details
Price: $14.99 per bottle

Description: The 2006 Chardonnay from Prince Michel is a result of grape selection, barrel fermentation, and sur lie aging. The vineyards selected for this wine are noted for their history of producing Chardonnays with elegant, lingering flavors and fresh, enticing aromas. To integrate and preserve the fruity, creamy, peach and vanilla nose, this wine was fermented in new and one year old oak barrels. A portion was fermented in stainless steel before blending to introduce a crispness to the structure of the wine. Aging sur lie allowed this wine to develop a butterscotch dimension with the broad mouth feel characteristic of our Chardonnay. The barrels also add a dimension of fruitiness and nuttiness. This Chardonnay is complex and lovely, with the structure and character to age well. The delightful aromas and clean, elegant fruit of this wine make it the perfect complement to fresh vegetables, fowl and French Provincial cuisine.

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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