2016
Pahlmeyer Chardonnay Napa Valley
Clean floral aromas, including honeysuckle and orange blossom, mingle with notes of vanilla, brioche and shaved almonds before leading into a palate of sweet grapefruit and spice.
100% Chardonnay
- Winemaker
- Bibiana Gonzalez Ravé
- Alcohol
- 14.9%
- Harvested Start Date
- September 12, 2016
- Harvested End Date
- October 3, 2016
- Bottled Date
- August 8, 2017
- Release Date
- March 19, 2018
Winemaking Notes
Our Chardonnay was picked during the cool of the night and each cluster was inspected and hand sorted at the winery before being gravity fed into the bladder press. The juice settled in stainless steel tanks for 24 hours at 50 degrees. After rigorous inspection, we racked the finest lots to new French oak barrels and monitored fermentation daily, stirring the lees only as needed to stimulate the process. After malolactic fermentation, we commingled lots for the first time then barreled down the blend into 100% new François Frères French oak for 11 months. The wine was bottled without fining or filtration.
The 2016 Chardonnay has a lovely savory, yeasty/toasty nose over a core of warm grapefruit, fresh apricots and allspice with a touch of candied ginger. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-filling stone fruit and spicy layers, supported by great freshness and finishing long and creamy.
Rich and generous, offering an outlay of fig, honeydew, anise and light apricot flavors. Shows a measure of finesse and grace. Given the full body, this is quite elegant. Drink now through 2023. 1,900 cases made.
Reductive in the best way, this wine opens in a layering of salty brine and oak as a creamy palate reveals itself with power and concentration. Baked apple, gingersnap and cinnamon toast configure around bold structure and moderate acidity, allowing for a fulsome, voluptuous experience.
