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Media contact: Tony Lombardi (707) 473-2364
tony.lombardi@beamwineestates 2005 Reserve Chardonnay Napa Valley History William Hill Estate has produced rich, intense Napa Valley wines with a distinctive elegance since 1978, steadily building a reputation for top-notch Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Now guided by winemaker Richard Sowalsky and noted viticulturist Tony Fernandez, the winery is taking this tradition a step further by emphasizing smart, sustainable viticulture and meticulous winemaking techniques. The Napa Valley offers an impressive palette of grape growing conditions, but only a few choice corners of the appellation provide ideal conditions for each grape variety. Pristine fruit is sourced from the cooler southeastern areas of the Valley for our Reserve Chardonnay, including grapes from both our Atlas Peak Vineyard and Buchli Station Vineyard, which is in the Carneros appellation of Napa Valley.
Vintage 2005 started
with a wet winter which gave way to a dry month in March. Precipitation
started again in April and continued on a weekly basis into June. Due to
the slightly cooler spring weather, bud break came a bit later than previous
years. Overall, 2005 was an excellent vintage with a sizeable crop showing
ripe, flavorful fruit and larger than normal berries and clusters. The
fruit development was aided by an extended hang time before harvest,
allowing the grapes to develop enticing aromas and mature flavors. Winemaking The
Chardonnay grapes were 100% hand harvested at night when temperatures are
cooler, between September 20 and October 25. The grapes were gently pressed
as whole clusters, and the juice was 100% barrel fermented to add depth and
complexity. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation and was aged on the
lees in 85% new French oak with frequent batonage for nine months. Vineyard
lots were kept separate throughout the aging process, and the final blend
was determined after evaluating each lot individually. Tasting Notes Our 2005
Reserve Chardonnay is complex and layered, with juicy nectarine, mandarin
orange and lychee fruit on the nose that carry through to a palate enhanced
with spicy oak nuances. The wine is rich and dense, but not heavy. It is a
balanced wine with a mineral essence that extends through the long,
lingering finish. Food Recommendations This wine
pairs easily with rich, earthy dishes like wild mushroom risotto. The
perfect complements to citrus and butter elements of oven-roasted sea bass
with blood orange beurre blanc.
Technical WINEMAKER: Richard Sowalsky APPELLATION: Napa Valley COMPOSITION: 100% Chardonnay ACID/pH: 5.8 g/Litre/3.31 ALCOHOL: 14.2% BOTTLED: August 2006 RELEASED: March 2007 CASES PRODUCED: 3,554 SUGGESTED RETAIL: $27
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