matanzas creek alexander valley chardonnay

Winery Notes The Alexander Valley Chardonnay white wine is comprised of individual blocks from our best Alexander Valley vineyards. The grapes are harvested in the beginning to middle of September. The juice goes through native fermentation separately in both new and used French oak barrels. After alcoholic fermentation concluded, all barrels go through malolactic fermentation and continue aging on the lees for a total of 8 months. The barrels are stirred monthly, which helps to build a creamy texture and develop delicious aromas. Tasting Notes This white wine exhibits aromas of nectarine, sweet lemon and hints of spiced cookie. Flavors of vanilla, marzipan and roasted hazelnut balance out the savory, rich mouthfeel with cascading acidity. Vineyard Notes With four decades of winemaking heritage, Matanzas Creek’s expertise in Sauvignon Blanc dates to the beginning, when founding winemaker Merry Edwards developed her signature style. The winery has a rich history of industry leadership, including launching the careers of many renowned California winemakers, producing pioneering research on clonal significance, and spearheading the founding of the Bennett Valley AVA. Since its start in 1977, Matanzas Creek has left an indelible mark on the California wine industry. Today, the aromatic expertise of winemaker Marcia Torres-Forno, experience in Chile, Napa, and Sonoma, shines through in each bottle. Achieving the signature delicacy in all of Matanzas Creek’s wines requires strict attention to detail. Timing of the pick in the vineyards is determined by grape hue signaling aromas of the fruit, which are then cultivated in the cellar with careful selection of fermentation vessel types. Matanzas Creek wines are sourced from the optimal growing sites for each offering. The wines are always crafted to express a profound sense of place, and delicately woven into the portfolio with a common thread of simple elegance.