North America | California | Navarro Vineyards | Chardonnay Mendocino

Chardonnay Mendocino

VARIETAL
Chardonnay

NOTES

VINEYARD: The 2017 Mendocino Chardonnay was produced from grapes grown in three different appellations and climates within Mendocino County. While Navarro is used to dealing with the micro-climates within Anderson Valley and is familiar with its general weather patterns, Potter Valley and Redwood Valley are more inland and less ocean-influenced than Anderson Valley. The effect on grape flavor due to the warmer, shorter growing season is the reason Navarro purchases grapes from Potter and Redwood Valleys. For example, the Chardonnay fruit profile of the wine produced from Potter Valley grapes—melon and red apple—is different from Anderson Valley's pear, citrus and green apple profile. This medley of fruit-driven flavors is what helps make the Mendocino bottling both succulent and interesting. However, purchasing grapes from other climates can also produce challenges. One problem that presents itself is knowing when to schedule bins to arrive. Since growers pick into Navarro's half-ton bins, Navarro has to arrange for the bins to arrive the day before harvest—easier said than done given how Chardonnay ripening dates can vary. In 2016 the Potter Valley fruit was harvested two weeks before Navarro's Tasting Room Chardonnay block, while in 2017 only three days separated the two harvests, which made processing more frenzied. Just something to think about as climate change is affecting wine-growing worldwide.

VINIFICATION: The juice from each vineyard was cool-fermented then aged in seasoned French oak barrels for nine months prior to blending and bottling.

TASTING NOTES: Balanced citrus, peach, and apple aromas and flavors show off the region, and ride a wave of refreshing acidity through to a long finish where a subtle note of oak spice pops nicely. Eminently quaffable.