St Francis Chardonnay

Rich with notes of citrus, melon and vanilla, this Chardonnay is a fresh expression of the hand-picked classic varietal. A third of the grapes in this blend were grown in our own vineyards; the rest we carefully selected from nearby vineyards in Sonoma Valley, Carneros, and Russian River appellations, choosing only fully ripened fruit. The fruit is 1% whole-cluster pressed and fermented in different lots. Six different yeasts and ML strains were used to enhance the rich mouthfeel. Barrel aged for six months in French and American oak barrels before blending. Barrels are lees stirred by hand during aging to achieve a rich, lush mouth-feel. This Chardonnay undergoes 1% malolactic fermentation. As you will taste, the barrel component adds a toasty complexity. Fruit and pear aromas are offset on the palate by hints of oak and vanilla. Medium- to full-bodied, this Chardonnay has ripe fruit flavors, crisp high acid in the mouth, and a rich lingering finish.