2021 ザ エステーツ シャルドネ カーネロス ナパ ヴァレー

THE VINEYARD: The fruit for this wine comes from Hyde vineyards and Carneros Lake, both vineyards in Carneros, Napa. Hyde Chardonnay is a musqué clone that is very aromatic, floral, and very rich, with a full body and zesty minerality. Carneros Lake Chardonnay adds elegance, finesse, and citrus character to the blend.

THE VINTAGE: 2023 was an exceptional vintage for Napa Valley, with one of the longest growing seasons in a decade or more. Consistent, mild weather throughout the season, with abundant sunshine, allowed grapes to ripen slowly and develop maximum flavor concentration while maintaining great acidity, leading to a vintage with freshness, purity, and elegance. The cooler temperatures but long sun hours allowed for full fruit ripeness, retaining natural acidity and freshness, with Chardonnay showing more vibrant and crunchy orchard fruit and citrus, with chalky minerality. The fruit was hand-harvested between September 18 and October 18. It was fermented and aged on lees for 10 months in 100% French oak barrels, 49% new French oak barrels before bottling.