Optima 2004 Chardonnay

Winemaker Tasting Notes:
The 2004 Sonoma County Chardonnay shows ripe, complex aromas of citrus, tropical fruit and ripe red apples. Its extended lees contact has blossomed into wonderful bakeshop aromas of spice, butter and vanilla, with rich, full bodied flavors of lush pineapple, Meyer lemon and sweet creamy French oak. The Optima Chardonnay is mouth-filling with bright flavors and a round, rich delicious finish.

Vineyard and Winemaking Notes:
This 2004 vintage was produced from fruit grown in Sonoma County’s premier Chardonnay appellations: the Russian River Valley, renowned for its cool climate and rich fruit laden Chardonnays, and the Sonoma Coast, adding bright citrus aromas and a crisp finish. The grapes were whole cluster pressed to avoid excess skin contact and resulting bitterness. The free run juice was 100% barrel fermented in Seguin Moreau and Demptos medium toast French oak barrels reaching a peak temperature of 70F. Lees were stirred weekly for seven months in barrels to encourage both the completion of malo-lactic fermentation and the development of the lovely yeasty aromatics. Following three gentle barrel to barrel rackings the wine was bottled unfiltered on September 28, 2005.

Technical Notes:

Appellation:	Sonoma County (82% Russian River Valley, 18% Sonoma Coast)
Harvest:	September 9, 2004
Brix at Harvest:	24.9
TA:	5.80 g/L
Filtration:	None
VA:	0.88 g/L
Alcohol:	14.1%
Production:	504 Cases