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Complete Winemaker's Notes
1999 Arrowood  Chardonnay Réserve Spéciale, Cuve Michel Berthoud

Region/Origin:  Sonoma County
Residual Sugar: Dry
Total Acid: .85g per 100ml/.47g per 100ml
Alcohol: 13.9%
Final pH: 3.5
Blend: 100% Chardonnay

Winemaker's Notes
Our Reserve Chardonnays are known for their rich, lush fruit flavors, and incredible depth and complexity of character. This rich, full-bodied, aromatic Chardonnay exudes flavors of peach, tropical fruits and honey. Notes of hazelnut and a hint of complex oak flavors in the background are followed by a long, rich finish with nuances of spice and vanilla.

Vintage
This wine is crisp, balanced and well integrated. While delicious now, we feel it will age well for many years to come. This 1999 Reserve Chardonnay is a stunning wine destined to become a classic.

Vineyard
The majority of grapes for this vintage were grown in the cool climate of the Russian River Valley, with a small amount from the cooler Sonoma- Los Carneros region. In contrast to some of Sonoma County's warmer microclimates, these cooler regions allow the fruit to ripen slowly and evenly to full maturity, producing especially mouthfilling, flavor-packed, concentrated flavors. Viticultural Areas/Vineyards: Russian River Valley - Alary Ranch, Preston Ranch Sonoma-Carneros - Alta Vista Vineyards

Fermentation & Aging
We hand selected what we considered to be exceptional Chardonnay lots and fermented and aged each lot separately in new and seasoned French oak barrels sur lies (on the yeast) for eight months. The lots were then blended and aged in new and one year old French oak barrels for an additional five months. During fermentation the wine underwent malolactic fermentation, which reduces acid content and encourages the emergence of subtle complexities, imparting a creamy, voluptuous, almost fleshy mouthfeel to the wine. In keeping with our non-interventional style and to maximize complexity, we chose to neither fine nor filter the wine.

Chef's Suggestions
Our Reserve Chardonnay will complement almost any seafood or chicken dish, or pasta with cream sauce. For a fun, delicious treat, try it with sliced pear and mango, with a little Gouda, Blue or Swiss cheese on the side.

View winemaker's notes for another vintage of this wine:
  
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