Barnard Griffin Chardonnay 2004

Sensory:
2004 Chardonnay shows a rich buttery wine with firm acidity and great hints of the 65% barrel fermentation that went into making this wine. The finish is rich, balanced and mouth filling. There is a hint of green apple in the mid-palate that adds to the complexity of this wine. Due to the excellent ripening in the vineyards our 2004 Chardonnay is slightly higher in alcohol than the 2003 vintage.

Vineyards and Growing Season:
The 2004 growing season was again a long and consistently hot. A warm spring and hot summer followed by a long fall was ideal. Sugars were high but the acids looked excellent throughout the Chardonnay fruit that I saw in the vineyards.

Winemaking:
65% Barrel fermented using M2, and Pris de Mousse yeasts
Aged on the yeasts in a mix of Vosges, Nevers and older Alliers barrels.
Bottled 6/05

Alcohol: 13.2%