Hangtime Chardonnay 2005
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HANGTIME wines demonstrate the superior quality of Chardonnay from cool-climate appellations where grapes spend long periods of “hangtime" ripening on the vine. A long hangtime in the vineyards contribute to concentrated flavor. Winemaking that focuses on the flavors of the grapes allows us to deliver delicious wines that express the appellation of origin.
If you're a Pinot Noir or Chardonnay fan, look no further than Hangtime Cellars. Winemaking team Rob Mondavi and Tony Coltrin travel the globe to source the finest fruit from the established and emerging wine regions where these two varieties thrive.
Although "hang time" may evoke an image of folks on their day off, sipping wine and relaxing in the sun, the name actually refers to the amount of time the grapes spend hanging on the grapevines. The longer grapes spend on the vine, the more time they have to develop the concentrated fruit character that results in wines of distinctive, delicious varietal expression. Appellations have to be warm enough to fully ripen grapes, yet cool enough to prolong this ripening while maintaining the kind of natural acidity that balances rich fruit flavor. These are the spots that Hangtime's winemakers seek for the highest quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. They source fruit from cool spots all over the world, from California to Burgundy to New Zealand.
While there are stylistic similarities — all the wines are well-balanced with aromas of well-ripened fruit — each wine maintains its own distinct nuances, reflecting the unique characteristics of the region it comes from. And you'll know exactly how long the grapes stayed on the vine, because every label is stamped with a number that indicates the hangtime for that vintage.
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.
Home to a diverse array of smaller AVAs with varied microclimates and soil types, Sonoma County has something for every wine lover. Physically twice as large as Napa Valley, the region only produces about half the amount of wine but boasts both tremendous quality and variety. With its laid-back atmosphere and down-to-earth attitude, the wineries of Sonoma are appreciated by wine tourists for their friendliness and approachability. The entire county intends to become a 100% sustainable winegrowing region by 2019.
Sonoma County wines are produced with carefully selected grape varieties to reflect the best attributes of their sites—Dry Creek Valley’s consistent sunshine is ideal for Zinfandel, while the warm Alexander Valley is responsible for rich, voluptuous red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are important throughout the county, most notably in the cooler AVAs of Russian River, Sonoma Coast and Carneros. Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Syrah have also found a firm footing here.