Shady Lane 2005 Late Harvest Vignoles

Late Harvest Notes:
We produce a true late harvest wine, not just a wine with higher residual sugar. We harvest this fruit in December after the typical late harvest flavors of apricot, caramel, butterscotch and spice have developed in the fruit. We look for significant Botrytis development in the fruit to help create the flavors we are looking for.

Winemaking Notes:
The fruit is destemmed and pressed whole berry, then the juice is fermented at moderately cool temperatures to prolong the length of fermentation. When the fermentation reaches the desired sugar/acid/alcohol ratio that achieves the balance we desire, the fermentation is halted and the wine is racked and filtered. The wine then ages in the tank for 4 to 6 months prior to bottling.

Tasting Notes:
Aromas of pear, apple, citrus, cinnamon and toast combine with a rich mouthfeel in this Chardonnay. The cool climate nature of this wine shows in the mineral and floral undertones as well as a honeyed quality that reflects the ripeness of the vintage.

Technical Notes:

Appellation:	Leelanau Peninsula
Harvest:	December 16, 2005
Brix :	30.2
pH :	3.1
TA:	11.1 grams/liter
Alcohol:	11.4%
RS:	11%
Production:	300 cases