World renowned. Washington grown.

2005 Reserve Chardonnay

Tasting Notes
“This Horse Heaven appellation wine delivers intense spice, coconut, pear, and apple on the nose, complementing the intensely fruity, buttery flavors. Together, these create a complex but perfectly balanced, lush and lingering finish.” -Ray Einberger, Winemaker

Growing Season

• August 15 marked the beginning of the earliest harvest on record.
• Warm summer months contributed to the uniformity of berry maturation.
• A temperature drop in late summer cooled the vineyards and allowed the grapes extra hang time to enhance flavor and aromatic development.
• Moderate weather conditions during harvest contributed to mature fruit with intense flavors, good sugar develop- ment, and high natural acidity across varietals.

Vineyards

• The fruit for the Reserve Chardonnay is picked by hand from Columbia Crest’s own select Estate vineyards located on the Horse Heaven Hills.
• The vintage’s balance between warm daytime temperatures and and cooler evenings concentrated aromatics and enhanced complexity.
• The appellation’s low rainfall stressed the vines, yielding concentrated fruit with depth and varietal expression.

Vinification

• Hand-picked grapes were held separately for vinification.
• Grapes were pressed, and the juice cold settled for two days before racking into new Burgundian-style barrels.
• Barrel fermentation lasted for up to two weeks followed by malolactic fermentation.
• The wine aged for 16 months in barrels, which were hand- stirred weekly during the first 14 months.

Technical Data

• Total acidity: 0.60 g/100ml
• pH: 3.37
• Alcohol: 14.2%
• Blend: 100% Chardonnay

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