1998
Pahlmeyer Chardonnay Napa Valley
“Full bodied with smoky and roasted nut scents. Complex, rich and powerful.”
— Helen Turley, Winemaker, May 2000
100% Chardonnay
- Winemaker
- Helen Turley
- Alcohol
- 14.8%
- Harvested Start Date
- October 1, 1998
- Release Date
- May 1, 2000
Winemaking Notes
Harvested October 1, 1998 from the Berlenbach Vineyard, high on the eastern slopes of the Coombsville region in southeastern Napa Valley. Harvested at 23.4 brix, the grapes were barrel-fermented on native yeasts and aged in 100% new François Frères French oak barrels for 10 months. The wine also progressed through 100% malolactic fermentation. The wine was bottled neither filtered nor fined.
The 1998 Chardonnay is on a fast evolutionary track. Light gold-colored, with a ripe apricot, butterscotch, and smoky nose, this full-bodied Chardonnay reveals evidence of botrytis (honeyed, funky notes), huge body, and leesy, ripe flavors that caress the palate.
Unfiltered appearance. Very complex aromas of apple, pear, clove, acacia flower and butterscotch. Still quite tight in the mouth, but already shows intensity and grip, thanks to lively acids. Notes of lime, butterscotch and menthol. Quite light on its feet and not at all dominated by oak. Finishes with excellent persistence.
