2006 Napa Valley Chardonnay
Wine Tasting Notes
The William Hill Estate 2006 Napa Valley Chardonnay opens with a vivid burst of ripe pineapples, mangoes and tangerines framed by a broad, rich mouthfeel. The creamy finish is long, with a classic touch of minerality that adds a distinct component to the mouthwatering fruit.
Viticulture Notes
Despite inclement weather conditions, the 2006 harvest was marked as an exceptional vintage. Winter began with extreme rainfall causing flooding in much of Napa Valley. The rain continued into early spring and the cool, wet weather delayed bud break by a few weeks. However, sunny, warm weather in early June allowed the vines to bloom and set fruit. A 10 day streak of record heat in July helped catch the vines up to a "normal" place in the growing season. The return of cooler weather in fall allowed for moderately paced and deliberate ripening which was ideal for developing premium Chardonnay grapes with good complexity, acid and flavor.
Winemaker notes
The Chardonnay grapes were hand harvested at night in the cooler temperatures, between September 20th and October 23rd. The grapes were gently pressed as whole clusters and after primary fermentation was complete, the wine underwent malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged in primarily French oak barrels (20% new). The final blend was crafted after evaluating each lot individually.
