Trumpeter Chardonnay 2002
Winemaker Notes
Tasting Notes Aromas of rich tropical fruit lead into flavors of citrus and pineapple followed by a refreshingly crisp finish with hints of vanilla. Try it with grilled chicken, shellfish or cold soups.
Today, the winery boasts stainless steel tanks, two pneumatic presses, imported crushers, vacuum pumps and filters, in addition to 500 new French Oak barrels. Over the last couple of years, the Trumpeter wines have soared to new heights in popularity in the United States. Offering four varietals: a Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Malbec, Bodega La Rural has crafted new wines with attractive new labels that have created quite a stir in the media. These wines have received praise in many respected publications ranging from Wine Spectator and Wine & Spirits magazine to the Washington Post daily newspaper.
With vineyards tretching along the eastern side of the Andes Mountains from Patagonia in the south to Salta in the north, Argentina is one of the world’s largest and most dynamic wine producing countries—and most important in South America.
Since the late 20th century vineyard investments, improved winery technology and a commitment to innovation have all contributed to the country’s burgeoning image as a producer of great wines at all price points. The climate here is diverse but generally continental and agreeable, with hot, dry summers and cold snowy winters—a positive, as snow melt from the Andes Mountains is used heavily to irrigate vineyards. Grapes very rarely have any difficulty achieving full ripeness.
Argentina’s famous Mendoza region, responsible for more than 70% of Argentina’s wine production, is further divided into several sub-regions, with Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley most noteworthy. Red wines dominate here, especially Malbec, the country’s star variety, while Chardonnay is the most successful white.
The province of San Juan is best known for blends of Bonarda and Syrah. Torrontés is a specialty of the La Rioja and Salta regions, the latter of which is also responsible for excellent Malbecs grown at very high elevation.
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.