Hawkes 2005 Chardonnay, Home Ranch

Winemaking Notes:
This is a single vineyard Chardonnay from the lower field of our Home Ranch which abuts a tributary of the Russian River.
It was harvested on September 9 after the earliest bud break in our thirty-five years in Alexander Valley and a long, cool summer resulting in high acid and low pH for all grapes. It was tank fermented, left the lees for nine months in 85% stainless steel and 15% neutral French oak barrels, then bottled in May of 2006.

Tasting Notes:
This is not a heavy, oaky, creamy Chardonnay. It is delicate. It is refreshing. What oak it was given is meant merely to complement the fresh, clean aroma of citrus, particularly grapefruit. It has no residual sugar, underwent no malolactic fermentation, and has noticeable, sprightly acidity.

Technical Notes:

Alcohol:	13.4%
Appellation:	Alexander Valley
Sugar at Harvest:	22.3 brix
pH:	3.1
TA:	.92