With loads of fruit in the nose and on the palate, this Chardonnay makes discovering all of the scents and tastes a delightful adventure. The nose of this wine is packed with fragrant aromas of ripe pears, apples, pineapple and orange blossom with a subtle, yet complex element of creamy vanilla and honeysuckle. On the palate, flavorful notes of peach, apricot and melon, with just a touch of toasty oak seem to go on forever, leading you to a rich, long-lasting, perfectly balanced finish.

Fermentation & Aging
This Chardonnay was aged sur lie, which means the wine was in contact with the yeast lees during the aging process in French oak barrels. Yeast lees is an old wine term for sediment at the bottom of a container other than grape seeds, skin fragments, stems, and pulp. This practice isnt neweven the Ancient Romans used it, and we feel it adds depth and complexity of flavor. This practice also encourages secondary malolactic fermentation, which imparts a more creamy and fleshy mouthfeel. Also, sur lie aging is an important element of our quest for non-interventional practices of not filtering or fining the wine.

Chef's Suggestions
The 1999 Sonoma County Chardonnay will complement a variety of foods, such as grilled salmon or pasta with a cream sauce. We even know of one Arrowood Chardonnay aficionado who loves to munch on potato chips while enjoying a glass!