Chardonnay
From the Winery:
If we are making Chardonnay, fruit is ''whole-cluster'' pressed and the runoff is cold-settled so that any heavy solids fall from the juice prior to barrel fermentation. We ferment in a selection of 100% French Oak barrels, choosing a combination of new and once or twice-used wood for balance. Our barrels are hand crafted by the finest coopers: Francois Freres, Seguin Moreau, and Damy, with wood sourced from select forests in France: Allier, Vosges and Niever. Once the juice is in the barrel, it ferments slowly until the wine is dry and M/L is 100% complete. We age in the barrel on the lees, stirring as needed, for approximately 18 months and then bottle the wine unfiltered.
Technical Data for 2002 Heintz Ranch Chardonnay
* Harvest Date: October 9, 2002
* Lab Notes:
- Brix - 25.6%
- TA - 0.62/100ml
- pH - 3.44
* Appellation: Sonoma Coast, California
* Grape Source: 100% Heintz Ranch
* Vineyard Age: Planted in 1984
* Rootstock: AXR1
* Clone: Davis 4
* Location: 9 Miles Inland from Pacific Ocean
* Elevation: 900 Feet
* Fermentation: Indigenous Yeast, Barrel Fermentation, 100% M/L
* Barrels: French Oak 30% new, 70% older
* Aging: 18 Months in Barrel
* Production: 700 Cases
* Release Date: January 15, 2005
2002 Chardonnay Tasting Notes
Faint hints of toasty oak complement the apple, pear, and sweet citrus aromas. The palate is lush with generous fruit, finishing with the crisp acidity that is a classic characteristic of the vineyard. Drink now or will cellar nicely for many years. 14.6% Alcohol at bottling.
Craig's Comments
Charlie Heintz Owner, Grower & Winemaker is a third-generation Heintz now farming the century-owned 100-acre ranch. His deep respect for farming and responsible land stewardship led to innovative vineyard management and custom wine grape production 20 years ago. The winery produces under 2000 total cases, and we are one the very few establishments in Michigan to offer these wines.