World renowned. Washington grown.
Reserve
Horse Heaven Hills
Grand Estates
Two Vines
* Vineyard 10
Winemaker
Wine Cellaring
Recipes
Find Our Wine
Buy Wine
Horse Heaven Hills 2006 Chardonnay
Tasting Notes
“This elegant, light to medium-bodied Chardonnay presents aromatics of slight mineral, apple, and pear leading to a balanced palate of pineapple and coconut, closing with a seductive, creamy vanilla finish.” -Ray Einberger, Winemaker
Growing Season
- The 2006 growing season was marked by extreme weather patterns. Spring was wet and cooler than normal, followed by a long, dry and hot summer.
- These factors contributed to excellent acid levels in the grapes, balanced canopies and small berries.
- The warmer areas of the Horse Heaven Hills saw early ripening and bold flavors from the high temperatures. The cooler locations saw later ripening and more fruit-driven flavors.
Vineyards
- The Horse Heaven Hills vineyards are located 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.
- The terrain consists of south-facing slopes that provide excellent sun exposure for grape ripening, and good air drainage which protects the vineyards during the winter months.
- Well-drained, sandy soils have low fertility and low water-holding capacity, allowing precise control of vine growth patterns.
- Strong wind patterns, which are unique to the Horse Heaven Hills, reduce canopy size and density, create better sun exposure, and contribute to even ripening by moderating temperature extremes.
Vinification
- Whole berry Chardonnay from select vineyards was pressed, the juice was held at 50 degrees in stainless steel tanks for two days.
- 40% of the grapes were barrel fermented in new American and French oak, and 30% in older oak barrels to create complexity and maintain the fruit integrity.
- 30% of the juice was fermented in stainless steel to retain the minerality and fruit-forward elegance of the fruit, characteristics unique to the Horse Heaven Hills region.
- Various yeasts were used at fermentation; the wines were then inoculated for malolactic fermentation.
- All barrels were hand-stirred weekly for six to nine months.
- Blending occured pre-bottling.
Technical Data
- Total acidity: 0.52 g/100ml
- pH: 3.58
- Alcohol: 13.6%