2001 Andreen-Gale Cuvée Chardonnay
Tasting Notes
Our inspiration for this wine comes from the finest "Old Wente" clone lots from our vineyards here on Camp Meeting Ridge. Our goal was to craft a Chardonnay that is rich, powerful, and complex, with the signature "minerality" that we consistently see expressed in the wines from our unique collection of terroirs. We feel we have achieved that goal in our first vintage of this Andreen-Gale Cuv�e.
A golden tint is at once inviting and suggestive of a rich and full-bodied Chardonnay. The nose is quite complex for such a young wine with aromas of peach, honey, and a "Champagne-like" yeastiness being the most prominent. Notes of citrus, especially lime, and a strong band of minerality lie just below the surface, awaiting a bit more bottle age to assert themselves. In fact, all the aromas should only grow in intensity over the next 7-8 months until this wine is released. The texture is immediately noteworthy for its roundness and viscosity. The acid sneaks up on you in the finish with the flavors lingering pleasantly.
While this wine is easy to sip now, we think it will provide its greatest pleasure alongside good food. Further aging of 1-2 years will enhance complexity, but beyond this is really a matter of personal preference. In short, we feel the structure of this first vintage of Andreen-Gale Cuvée Chardonnay will give its best drinking over the next 1-3 years.
Harvest
Early September through early October.
Vineyards
Blend of selected barrels predominantly (60%) from our estate vineyard blocks here on Camp Meeting Ridge, with the balance (40%) coming from five other vineyards in the coolest sub-zones of the Sonoma Coast appellation.
Clones
Predominantly Old Wente Clone > 70% with the balance being a mix of Dijon clones and mature Clone 4.
Yeast/ML
Native yeast & malolactic fermentations.
Cooperage and Aging
40% new French oak. Total time in barrel: 12-14 months.
Bottling
Bottled in late February and early March 2003; 2900 cases produced.
Final bottling technical information
- pH: 3.55
- Total Acidity: 0.63 g/100ml
- 14.4% alcohol