World renowned. Washington grown.
2004 Grand Estates Chardonnay
Top Value - Wine Spectator
Excellent Value - Northwest Palate
Tasting Notes
“Aromas of caramelized sugar, apple, and pear lead into hints of melon and butter on the palate in this refined Chardonnay. The lingering finish is a lush balance of wood and fruit.” -Ray Einberger, Winemaker
Growing Season
- A hot, dry growing season created ideal flavor maturity and promoted an early harvest start.
- Cool temperatures and intermittent rain in mid-September prompted extended hang time, which allowed the grapes to reach ideal physiologic maturing.
- The 2004 harvest is characterized by smaller berry and cluster size, with intense flavors, good sugar development and high natural acidity.
Vineyards
- Columbia Valley vineyards are seated east of the Cascade Mountain range. Up to 14,000 feet high, the mountains effectively block eastward-moving wet weather systems from the Pacific Ocean.
- Just 6 to 8 inches of rainfall reach the growing region annually. Vineyards are 100% drip irrigation./li>
- The soils have low fertility and low water-holding capacity, allowing precise control of vine growth patterns.
- Vines are planted north to south on south and southeast facing slopes.
Vinification
- Whole berry Chardonnay was pressed, and the juice was held at 50 degrees in stainless steel tanks for two days.
- The settled juice was paced into a combination of new and one-year-old American and French oak barrels.
- The juice fermented up to 21 days, and then was re-inoculated to begin malolactic fermentation.
- All barrels were stirred by hand every week for six months.
- Blending occurred after a total of nine months in the barrel.
Technical Data
- Total acidity: 0.55 g/100ml
- pH: 3.57
- Alcohol: 13.5%