"The 2016 Chardonnay Pont de Chevalier gives up notes of lemon tart, fresh peaches and kumquat with touches of honeysuckle, beeswax and allspice. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the palate with spicy stone fruit flavors, supported with plenty of freshness and a lovely hint of oiliness to the texture, finishing long."
- Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Our 2016 Pont de Chevalier Chardonnay is a delicate wine with great energy and is enticing early on. Luscious aromas of custard, vanilla cream, and citrus blossoms prepare the palate for a bright, yet creamy mouthfeel. Full and balanced flavors of citrus, marzipan, vanilla, and light custard linger, leading to a complex finish inviting the next sip.

A notable feature of the 2016 vintage was the welcome, seasonal rains. Although the several years of drought pushed an early bud-break, the spring rains led to smaller berries and clusters. Coupled with moderate summer weather and a relatively cool August, the fruit had a long ripening period. These conditions combined to offer rich, complex fruit despite a smaller than usual crop size.

With a near perfect growing season, our grapes were ready for harvest in mid-September. Picked over several days from September 9 to September 15, the fruit was harvested and brought to the winery cool for a whole-cluster press. The juice settled clear, preserving aromatic freshness, and was fermented cold. The wine underwent 100% malolactic fermentation, adding complexity to the aromas and mouthfeel of the wine.  100% new French oak barrels were used to age the wine for 10 months with minimal stirring of the lees during aging.

The elegance of this wine will pair nicely with a nut-crusted pan-fried seabass served with jasmine rice, a breaded and pan-seared veal chop atop a vinaigrette salad, or an aged manchego cheese with fresh sourdough and a quince paste.