St. Francis Old Vines Zinfandel 1997

St. Francis' Reserve Chardonnay is produced primarly from our estate vineyard which is located in the heart of the Sonoma Valley. While our estate vineyard provides the structure and the backbone of the wine, the addition of grapes from nearby vineyards provide the tropical fruit notes and acidity for balance. We harvest at full ripeness to ensure intensity and concentration of flavors. The wine is then fermented in new French oak barrels with a 100% malolactic treatment. The wine is aged for 9 months, with an occasional stirring of the lees. After the aging process, only the best barrels are selected for our final Reserve blend.

St. Francis Reserve Chardonnay shows a penetrating aromatic bouquet of ripe tropical and exotic fruits marked by a fragance of new oak and vanilla. On the palate the fruit flavors are fully concentrated with a buttery mouthfilling texture supported by balanced acidity and firm structure.