Benovia La Pommeraie Chardonnay 2017
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Vivid aromas of citrus blossom, pineapple and green papaya. The vibrancy of aromas is matched by its opulent texture and layered flavors of candied orange rind and crème brûlée followed by a mineral laden finish. Indigenous yeast fermentation in French oak barrels and extended aging of 16 months on lees drives this wine’s exceptional complexity
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Connoisseurs' Guide
If a little tight on initial nosing, the aromas of this one gradually unfold and deepen to show a lovely and decidedly complex mix of ripe apples and sweet limes layered with creamy oak, touches of toast and a subtle, minerally presence. On the palate, the wine is both weighty and very well-structured with great fruity stamina and outstanding length, and, however interesting it may be at the moment, it has all the hallmarks of a serious and eminently ageworthy Chardonnay that is destined to reward another three or four years of additional cellaring.
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With such similar family backgrounds, it's no wonder Joe Anderson and Mary Dewane would eventually find each other and marry. Together, they began a journey that led them to establish a winery that would make them, and their fathers, proud -- proud enough that the Benovia name pays homage to Ben and Novian.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
A standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.