Carmel Road Monterey Chardonnay 2005
Chardonnay
from Central Coast, California
winemaker's notes:
Carmel Road harvests their Monterey Chardonnay at night and makes certain that the grapes arrive at the winery within 60
minutes of picking. Cool fruit temperatures at crush prevent tannin extraction and preserve fresh, delicate fruit
flavors.
This Monterey Chardonnay is whole cluster pressed, a gentle process which avoids tearing the grape
skin, often a source of harsh flavors and tannins. The juice is barrel fermented and sur lie aged for seven and
a half months. Every two weeks Carmel Road's cellar crew stirred the lees to incorporate more of their creamy, toasty
flavor. 100% of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation for buttery richness.
"A beautiful nose of ripe lemon sorbet, white peach and lilac. Flavors of
citrus and pear are accented with a light minerality. Orange blossom and cream
highlight the finish. The palate is so soft the wine just melts in your mouth."
-Ivan Giotenov, Winemaker