2003 Camp Meeting Ridge Chardonnay
Tasting Notes
Aromas of quince and melons are followed by layers of floral and citrus notes. Upon swirling, this wine's bouquet is punctuated with hints of minerals and hazelnut. Flavors are lively with good acidity. White peaches and honey emerge with a texture that is silky. The finish; long and round, lingering and smooth, yet with enough acidity for a refreshing crispness. Enjoy at this time or cellar for a year or two.
Vineyards
The grapes for this vintage of our estate Chardonnay came from Blocks 1, 3 and 6, our Old Wente Clone selection here on Camp Meeting Ridge. Block 6 is the most rugged, rocky, and least vigorous of all our Chardonnay. It consistently yields a powerful wine of great concentration, depth, and expression of terroir and has historically been an important component of the Camp Meeting Ridge Chardonnay.
Harvest
Early September 2003
Winemaking
Careful hand sorting and whole cluster pressing. Fermentation with indigenous, native yeasts accompanied by regular battonage until the completion of the malolactic fermentation in the spring of 2004. At the end of barrel aging the wine was gently inert gas-racked to tank for settling.
Cooperage and Aging
100% French Oak; 40% new. Composed of 3-year air-dried Francois Freres burgundy barrels (mostly Allier), Remond (mostly Allier), Latour, and ultra-tight grain Seguin-Moreau "Chassagne Montrachet" barrels. The wine was aged sur lies in barrel. Time in barrel = 11 months.
Bottling
August 2004; 248 cases produced.
Final bottling technical information
- pH: 3.59
- TA: 0.62 g/100 ml
- Alcohol: 14.2 %
Release Date
Spring 2005