2009 Chardonnay – Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley Tasting Notes & Winemaking Vineyards & Terroir
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2009 CHARDONNAY – MT. VEEDER, NAPA VALLEY High on the slopes of Mount Veeder, Mayacamas Vineyards has been a source of APPELLATION: Mt. Veeder legendary California wine since 1889. Since the 1950’s the vinification and élevage of VARIETAL: 100% Chardonnay Mayacamas remains remarkably consistent and our continued commitment to ALCOHOL: 141/2% employ classical techniques and tools is integral to the character of these wines. The mountain terroir at Mayacamas ranges from 1,800 to 2,400 feet in elevation and the estate spans 475 acres, only 50 of which are dedicated to vine. The region’s richly intense, age-worthy wines reflect the independent spirit of its mountain growers and vintners, borne of rugged conditions that demand craftsmanship at the highest level. TASTING NOTES & WINEMAKING At 11 years old the 2009 Chardonnay is open, accessible, and delicious. Its bright golden appearance suggests age, concentration, and power. The wine opens with an aromatic combination of lemon curd, bee pollen, and sunflower oil. Dried thyme and parsley offer a savory thread that weaves nuance and complexity. On the palate the wine expands, broadening the frame and accentuating flavors of lemon oil, almond, and yellow pear. The finish is long with lingering notes of dried pineapple, savory herbs, and crushed flint rock. Artfully crafted by Bob Travers, the 2009 drinking window is open and inviting. During winemaking, malolactic fermentation was inhibited to enhance freshness and the wine aged for 12 months in barrique, less than 10% of which was new. VINEYARDS & TERROIR Grapes for the 2009 were sourced entirely from dry-farmed vineyard sites on our Estate high on Mt. Veeder planted at different times between the 1950’s and the 1980’s. Mt. Veeder has a cool mountain climate and the soils range from poor volcanic deposits to ancient seabeds; the grapes produced here retain high acidity and a clean, mineral character. MAYACAMAS VINEYARDS . 1155 LOKOYA RD. NAPA, CALIFORNIA 94558 . (707).224.4030 . mayacamas.com.