Lemelson Vineyards Chardonnay Reserve 2022 750ml

The 2022 Reserve Chardonnay is composed of fruit from two of our organic, estate vineyards that span two different AVAs, two different soil types and two different elevations. Through the combination of both microclimates, fantastic results can be achieved. The wine leads with aromatics of caramel apple, orange marmalade, pear, lemon zest, ginger and cinnamon spice. The delicate oak adds an extra layer of complexity with whiffs of vanilla bean and crème brûlée. On the palate, this Chardonnay is supple, elegant and in excellent balance with its crisp, natural acidity which leads into a long and mineral finish. This wine should age beautifully over the next several years in bottle.

• Country: United States
• Region: Oregon
• Appellation: Willamette Valley
• Size: 750ml
• Color: White
• Alcohol by Vol: 13.0%

Varietal

Chardonnay

Of all the white wine grape varietals, surely the one that has spread the furthest and is most widely appreciated is Chardonnay. This green-skinned grape is now grown all over the Old and New Worlds, from New Zealand to the Americas, from England to Chile, and is one of the first varietals people think of when considering white wine grapes. Perhaps this is because of its huge popularity, which reached a peak in the 1990s, thanks to new technologies combining with traditional methods to bring the very best features out of the Chardonnay grape and allow its unique qualities to shine through. Most fine Chardonnay wines use a process known as malolactic fermentation, wherein the malic acids in the grape juice are converted to lactic acids, allowing a creamier, buttery nature to come forward in the wine. No grape varietal is better suited to this process than Chardonnay, which manages to balance these silky, creamy notes with fresh white fruit flavors beautifully.