Bouchaine Carneros Napa Valley Chardonnay 1997

A jubilant, brightly robed wine, the 1997 Bouchaine Carneros Chardonnay exhibits fresh, foreword fruit in the nose and flavor. Easy drinking, subtle, yet sophisticated, this beautifully balanced Chardonnay contains remnants of coconut, pineapple and other tropical fruits. Bolstered by an excellent structure and just the right amount of caramel and vanilla from barrel ageing, the Bouchaine Carneros Chardonnay finishes perfectly, making you wish you had another glass.

More sophisticated fare: salmon, grouper, lobster, roast turkey all provide fine complements to the mature 1997 Bouchaine Carneros Chardonnay. Moreover, a beautiful crispness, coupled with fruit and floral notes, masks the wine’s high alcohol, making it a wonderful choice for sipping or playing backup to some sophisticated cheeses and fresh fruit.

Bouchaine Vineyards, founded in 1981, is a 38-acre estate in the prestigious Carneros region of the Napa Valley. Located just north of San Pablo Bay, the climate is directly influenced by the fog that floats in each night and unlike most California terroir, the shallow, gravely soils of Carneros are best suited to the Burgundian varietal of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay – Bouchaine’s two flagship varietals. The estate was first planted to vines and fruit trees in the mid 1800’s by oneBoon Fly and his family. After the turn of the century, the property was established as the Garetto Winery and Vineyards. Subsequently, Johnnie Garetto sold the ranch to Beringer Brothers in 1951 and Beringer used the site as their Carneros wine making facility for the next thirty years. Today, Carneros Vineyards is owned and operated by Gerret and Tatiana Copeland. A massive and long overdue renovation of the winery was completed in 1995, resulting in world class wines being produced at Bouchaine. Winemaking at Bouchaine is a dynamic process where diversity is created by tailoring vinification and cellar practices to the individual vineyard lots. Most Chardonnay lots are barrel fermented and aged sur lie for six months to add texture and toasty vanilla nuances. A fraction of the wine is cold fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve delicate floral aromas. Depending on the vintage, 25-40% of the Chardonnay goes through malolactic fermentation to soften the lean, citrus character of the Carneros grapes. Balance, complexity, and a unique expression of varietal fruit defines Bouchaine Chardonnays.