O'Brien Family Vineyard 2005 Chardonnay

Vineyard Notes:
Our estate vineyards are located in the Oak Knoll District of southern Napa Valley. The climate here is ideal for Chardonnay with fog burning off early, and the cooling influence of San Pablo Bay helping to moderate daytime peak temperatures. The result is that natural acidity and the more delicate nuances of varietal character are consistently preserved. Soils are of the Hare clay loam type underlaid with gravel, and are shallow (18”) and low in vigor. No pesticides or herbicides are used in our vineyard.

Winemaking Notes:
All fruit was hand harvested and gently pressed to yield a juice that needed no further adjustment. The first half of fermentation was conducted in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature to preserve aromatics. It was then put into a mixture of new and used cooperage for completion and partial malolactic. To preserve a crisp, acid-driven texture only 30% of the blend was allowed to undergo malolactic fermentation.

Tasting Notes:
Our goal with our estate Chardonnay is to craft a wine of natural acid balance that is fruit forward and expressive of our land and what nature gives us each year. The light straw color of the 2005 Chardonnay exhibits aromas of pear, apple, melon and almonds that layer with flavors of fig, tropical fruits and spice in a full-bodied, round and creamy Chardonnay with good acidity, a subtle touch of spicy oak, and a long finish. This wine is a splendid accompaniment to a wide range of foods, even spicier dishes, or is equally enjoyable to just sip on its own. It will provide its best drinking over the next two years.

Technical Notes:

Appellation:	Oak Knoll District
Brix:	25.8
Harvest Date:	August 29
Titratable acidity:	0.55 g/100ml
Alcohol:	14.8%
pH:	3.59
Cases Produced:	920