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2000
CHARDONNAY VITICULTURE The
vineyards are on Westside Road in the Russian River Valley, Sonoma
County. The well-drained soil and cool microclimate allow for an
extended growing season. To create our Signature Edition we select
our finest grapes, adjust the yield to less than 4 tons per acre.
We also open the canopy to let in the ideal amount of sunlight on
the maturing grapes. The 2000 growing season started early. Summer
was long and cool. The fall was blessed by warm days and cool nights.
The grapes reached maturity at the end of September and the quality
was excellent. WINEMAKING The 2000 Chardonnay grapes were harvested early in the morning at the peak of freshness at a 24.6 % sugar. The grapes were immediately crushed and pressed and the juice was settled in stainless steel tanks. The juice was then barrel fermented in 60 Gallon French Oak Barrels. It was left sur-lees for twelve and half months and the lees were stirred every three weeks. TASTING NOTES The wine is golden in color. The bouquet is rich with aromas of honeysuckle, spice, apple-pear, and butterscotch. It has a medium-full body with flavors of citrus, apple, vanilla and toasty oak. Exceptional balance and texture give way to a lingering aftertaste.
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2001
CHARDONNAY
AQUARIUS RANCH RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY VINEYARD The
McIlroy Family established Aquarius Ranch in 1972. The vineyards
are on Westside Road in the Russian River Valley, Sonoma County.
The well-drained soil and cool microclimate allow for an extended
growing season. The extended time on the vine creates exceptional
flavors and acid levels ideal for Chardonnay grapes. The 2001 growing season started early. The yield was low and the summer was long and the fall cool. The ripening was prolonged allowing for excellent grape flavor development. WINEMAKING The 2000 Chardonnay grapes were harvested early in the morning at the peak of freshness at a 24.1% sugar. The grapes were whole cluster pressed and the juice was immediately transferred to sixty gallon French Oak Barrels. The juice was then fermented for 18-21 days. The young wine was left sur-lees for nine and half months and the lees were stirred every three weeks. TASTING NOTES The wine is light golden in color. The bouquet has aromas of pear and toasty spice with nuances of melon. It has a medium-full body with flavors of apple, butterscotch, and grapefruit. Well balanced with a lingering aftertaste of pear. Drink alone or enjoy it as the perfect touch to a fine meal.
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2002
CHARDONNAY
AQUARIUS RANCH RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
VINEYARD The
McIlroy Family established Aquarius Ranch in 1972. The vineyards
are on Westside Road in the Russian River Valley, Sonoma County.
The well-drained soil and cool microclimate allow for an extended
growing season. The extended time on the vine creates exceptional
flavors and acid levels ideal for Chardonnay grapes. The
2002 growing was near perfect. The spring was mild with only a
few spells of rain. Our summer had a couple of hot periods with
no rain. The fall was warm with several cooler periods. The ripening
was slow but steady allowing for excellent grape flavor development. The 2002 Chardonnay grapes were harvested between 6:30 and 9:30 am. All of the grapes were delivered to the winery by 10:45 am. The grapes were then whole cluster pressed and the juice was transferred to sixty gallon French Oak Barrels. The juice fermented for 17-21 days. The young wine was left sur-lees for nine and half months and the lees were stirred every three weeks. TASTING NOTES The wine is light golden in color. The bouquet is rich with aromas of pear, honeysuckle and spice. It has a medium-full body with flavors of apple, butterscotch, melon and grapefruit. Great balance gives way to a long finish reminiscent of pear syrup. Drink alone or enjoy it as the perfect touch to a fine meal.
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