Kenwood Vineyards 2010 Sonoma County Chardonnay

Fruit aromas of Pippin apples and Meyer lemon combine with gingerbread and vanilla notes, lush and viscous mouth feel with a crisp mineral quality to the finish. 

Combining grapes from the cool climate regions of southern Sonoma Valley and the Russian River Valley, Kenwood's Sonoma County Chardonnay nicely balances the classic fruit flavors of this varietal with subtle notes of French oak aging. 

 

The 2010 vintage was marked by a cool spring followed by a mild summer growing season.  The cool weather produced Chardonnay with excellent structure and crisp acidity.  Beginning in mid September, the grapes were picked by hand and brought to the winery for whole cluster pressing.  After harvest, two thirds of the juice was fermented in French oak and aged on the lees for five months to add viscosity and complexity to the blend.  The remaining juice was fermented in stainless steel to retain a fresh natural flavor.  After fermentation, the barrel lots used in the blend underwent a secondary malolactic fermentation to enhance the  rich, round flavors.