Geyser Peak Water Bend Chardonnay 2007

Fruit for this wine came predominantly from a riverside block of vines at Geyser Peak Winery's Ascentia Vineyard. The vineyard's sandy soils, low yields and cooling coastal fogs make it ideally suited to growing exceptional Chardonnay. To preserve fruit flavors, grapes were harvested in the early morning hours, and then gently pressed whole, without crushing, to avoid any harsh extractions. After cold settling, the juice was racked directly to barrel.

The color is a soft straw, with flashes of bright gold. Rich, complex aromas of pear, melon and Fuji apples burst out of the glass on this intense, beautifully balanced and wonderfully food-friendly Chardonnay. Its first impression of bright, bold fruit is rounded out with subtle aromas of toast, vanilla and butterscotch. On the palate, the wine shows a superb balance between creamy richness and palate-cleansing acidity. This is a unique wine that expresses all the benefits of its terroir-driven origin.