Chardonnay, 2018 - Casanel Vineyards + Winery

Casanel Vineyards + Winery - Leesburg, VA

$26.00

Our Chardonnay is made from 100% grapes from Casanel Vineyards. Fermented in Stainless steel, with 34% reserved for blending back in. 66% aged sur lie for 1 month in French Burgundy barrels. No Malo-lactic fermentation. Flavors of tropical pineapple, tart citrus, and delicate pastry.

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WINEMAKING NOTES
Our Chardonnay is made from 100% grapes from Casanel Vineyards. After hand-harvesting and sorting in the vineyard, the grapes were gently transported in small lugs and were stored for one night in a cold room. The day after, the grapes were sorted again on a sorting table before pressing. Cold-settling occurred for one night, followed by alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tank. Toward the middle of the fermentation, 66% of the juice was sent to French Burgundy barrels to finish the fermentation, while the final 34% remained in stainless steel tank. After a few weeks of “sur lie” aging (aging on the lees while in oak barrel) and a gentle “bâtonnage” (lees stirring), the wine was racked off the lees and sent back into oak barrels to continue the aging process. In August, we proceeded to protein stabilization and cold stabilization before hand-bottling on the Estate, which occurred at the end of September 2019.

TASTING & PAIRING NOTES
citrus – lemon custard – lime - pineapple - vanilla - bread - pastry - long – rich – nice balance between acidity from the fruit and creaminess from the aging in barrels
Rich dishes – dishes with creamy sauces – lean protein – pizza, flatbread – versatile with cheese, goes well with bloomy rind cheese

PRODUCTION DETAILS
Vintage Year: 2018
Vineyard: 100% Casanel Vineyard – 100% Estate Appellation: AVA Middleburg Composition: 100% Chardonnay Clone: 76 & 95 (Cert) Rootstock: 101-14
& 3309
Average Vine Age: 10 & 11 years
Harvest Date: 09/05/18
Bottling Date: 09/11/19
Fermentation: Stainless Steel
Yeast: VL2
ML: None
pH: 3.45
Alcohol: 13.0% vol.
Residual Sugar: < 0.03 g/l in glucose-fructose

Aging: 66% French oak Wood Origin: Beaune, Meursault
New Oak: 33% (33% in new barrel & 33% in 2 year-old French oak)
Aging Time: 11 months

Cases produced: 70 cases
Cellaring: Enjoy it now to 2022 - (medium-full body wine)

Highest Awards:
Double Gold, Best of Class, Best of VA AVA, 94 points: 2019 Harvest Challenge
Gold, 93 points: 2019 American Wine Society Wine Competition

Notes

French oak aged sur-lie first month. Aged in French oak 10 months. Blended with stainless steel chardonnay before bottling.

Winemakers

Katie & Tyler Henley