2002 Wyncroft Lake Michigan Shore Chardonnay
Avonlea Vineyard
Vinification:
2002 was an excellent sunny and dry growing season producing extremely ripe Chardonnay grapes with excellent concentrated flavors. The fresh juice was barrel-fermented, using native Burgundy yeast, in Allier forest, medium-plus-toasted French oak barrels, 40% new, 30% one-year old and 30% older barrels. The young wine was aged 24 months “sur lie” with “battonage” every two weeks during a malo-lactic secondary fermentation according to classical Burgundian technique. Then it was moved into neutral barrels for another 24 months. Harvest took place under sunny skies October 10-15. Alc.14.8 %, Total Acid .66, pH 3.40, 160 cases produced.
The Wine:
Our 2002 Chardonnay resembles a big Chassagne-Montrachet from Burgundy’s ripe 1995 vintage. The color is luminous green-golden yellow. the wine has an exotic nose of honeyed pear, vanilla and apple with hints of citrus. The palate is powerful and viscous, yet elegant and creamy, with golden delicious apple, pineapple, mineral, vanilla, and hazelnut, followed by a lingering crisp dry finish. Due to the ripeness of the fruit, it drinks well now, but will develop more complexity with proper cellaring.
Table Suggestions:
This flavorful wine pairs well with classic Burgundian cream or butter sauces, lobster and other sweet shellfish, and grilled poultry. Its richness and complexity make it a good choice for enjoying with just simple cheeses, good French bread, and butter.
Winemaker’s Comments:
This rich wine is a worthy successor to our now-famous 1998 and 2000, and is proof, we believe, that the moraine hills of Southwest Michigan will soon be known by wine experts right along with names like Cote de Beaune and Carneros.
Avonlea Vineyard
Vinification:
2002 was an excellent sunny and dry growing season producing extremely ripe Chardonnay grapes with excellent concentrated flavors. The fresh juice was barrel-fermented, using native Burgundy yeast, in Allier forest, medium-plus-toasted French oak barrels, 40% new, 30% one-year old and 30% older barrels. The young wine was aged 24 months “sur lie” with “battonage” every two weeks during a malo-lactic secondary fermentation according to classical Burgundian technique. Then it was moved into neutral barrels for another 24 months. Harvest took place under sunny skies October 10-15. Alc.14.8 %, Total Acid .66, pH 3.40, 160 cases produced.
The Wine:
Our 2002 Chardonnay resembles a big Chassagne-Montrachet from Burgundy’s ripe 1995 vintage. The color is luminous green-golden yellow. the wine has an exotic nose of honeyed pear, vanilla and apple with hints of citrus. The palate is powerful and viscous, yet elegant and creamy, with golden delicious apple, pineapple, mineral, vanilla, and hazelnut, followed by a lingering crisp dry finish. Due to the ripeness of the fruit, it drinks well now, but will develop more complexity with proper cellaring.
Table Suggestions:
This flavorful wine pairs well with classic Burgundian cream or butter sauces, lobster and other sweet shellfish, and grilled poultry. Its richness and complexity make it a good choice for enjoying with just simple cheeses, good French bread, and butter.
Winemaker’s Comments:
This rich wine is a worthy successor to our now-famous 1998 and 2000, and is proof, we believe, that the moraine hills of Southwest Michigan will soon be known by wine experts right along with names like Cote de Beaune and Carneros.
Copyright © 2005 Wyncroft, LLC. All rights reserved.
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