Silver Mountain 2002 Estate Chardonnay

Wine Recommendation:
Silver Mountain 2002 Estate Chardonnay

Varietal History:
Silver Mountain's Estate Chardonnay is from the Mount Eden clone, brought from Burgundy (allegedly from one of Louis Latour's vineyards) by Paul Masson in the 1890's. It was with this clone that the art of winemaking in California was revolutionized by using noble Burgundian varietals at a time when most wine was blended from inferior varieties. The Mount Eden clone is still grown in a few vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains and elsewhere, while most vineyards today have planted higher yielding varieties. The typical yield for the Mount Eden clone is only one to two tons per acre, and the vines produce fruit with tiny berries. The resulting wine, as you will see with Silver Mountain's Chardonnay, is typically characterized by intense, concentrated fruit flavors and a balanced acidity. And, unlike most California Chardonnay, this wine benefits from aging (min. 3-5 years in the bottle). Wine lovers tired of over-oaked Chardonnays and who claim to have given it up and now drink only red wine have rediscovered Chardonnay through Silver Mountain.

Winemaker Tasting Notes:
The nose is restrained, with a hint of apples and cassis. The palate is lively, with citrus flavors, ripe melon, and a touch of earthiness; a nice acid balance will pair well with food; an ageworthy Chardonnay.

Technical Notes:

Appellation:	Santa Cruz Mountains
Harvest Dates:	October 10 & 11, 2002
Bottling:	Fined with bentonite, settled, racked, coarse filtered and bottled
Oak:	11 months in 60% French, 40% Eastern European oak.
Must Analysis:	Brix 24.6; PH 3.44; Acid 0.67
Alcohol:	14.3%