Carmel Road Monterey Chardonnay 2005

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