Clos du Bois Flintwood Vineyard Chardonnay 1998

The Flintwood vineyards consist of multiple blocks located in the lower end of Dry Creek Valley. While average daily temperatures in Dry Creek are relatively warm, the Flintwood Vineyards are shadowed by the hills in the early and later parts of the growing season, and are subject to the cooling winds and morning fog influences of the Russian River Valley. This climate gives our Flintwood Chardonnay fruit lean characteristics with a hint of minerals. Comprised of 100% Chardonnay, Flintwood is fermented in heavily toasted French oak barrels. A portion of the blend undergoes malolactic fermentation and the wine is barrel aged on the lees. Flintwood is bottle aged before release, allowing the complexity of this very dry Chardonnay to fully develop. The resulting Chardonnay tends to be more steely than that of the Alexander Valley. The Flintwood fruit contributes hints of minerals, while winemaking technique imparts butterscotch flavors and spicy oak overtones.