Edna Valley Vineyard Paragon Chardonnay 2008

Our 2008 Chardonnay captures the essence of the Edna Valley, showcasing complex peach, pear and tropical flavors that have developed slowly on the vine. A refined, terroir-driven minerality dances through the silky midpalate, joined by caramel, clove and cinnamon. Gentle winemaking leaves a subtle impression of creaminess and balances the bright fruit that carries through the finish. A wine that offers a little bit of everything, this appealing Chardonnay pairs with a variety of foods such as salmon with lentil salad, chicken tagine or pasta with spring peas and pancetta.

We harvested whole clusters and then gently pressed the grapes and separated the free-run from the press-fraction juice. To build structure and balance while maintaining vibrant fruit expression, we utilized partial barrel fermentation, extensive sur lie aging and just a touch of malolactic fermentation. We aged the wine in small oak barrels, retaining 20 percent in stainless steel for a splash of brightness.