Brown Ranch Carneros Chardonnay

Current Vintage: 2006

Our “Brown Ranch” vineyard in northeast Carneros is the culmination of the knowledge we’ve gathered about Carneros grapegrowing since we set out to showcase this region in 1981. When we were laying out this vineyard in 1992 with primarily Pinot Noir in mind we realized that there was a portion of the land that seemed very suited to Chardonnay cultivation. We planted eight acres.

Our expectations were met and the grapes from these eight acres were blended into our Reserve Chardonnay for many years. That changed in 2002 when we decided to retire the Reserve Chardonnay, but what to do with the Brown Ranch grapes?

There really was never a question. The character of our Brown Ranch Chardonnay grapes, their crisp natural acidity, the burgundy-like minerality and their expressive apple, pear and citrus flavors demanded we create a partner to our Brown Ranch Pinot Noir. As with the Pinot Noir only a small amount of the best chardonnay goes in the Brown Ranch bottling with the remainder finding its way into the Carneros Chardonnay with predictably positive results. In addition, after nine months in French oak barrels we rack the wine to stainless steel tank along with the fine lees. The blend marries in this anaerobic environment for six additional months further enhancing the terroir-driven minerality of the Brown Ranch Chardonnay site.

© 2006 Saintsbury
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