The Barrel Fermented Chardonnay comes from four separate and distinct
blocks and chardonnay clones from the 117 acre Hendry Napa Valley
Estate. The morning fog and afternoon breezes from the San Pablo Bay
moderate the climate, allowing the grapes to ripen fuller and slowly.
This is a full-bodied chardonnay without going through malolactic
fermentation, allowing the acidity to remain bright to keep its food
friendly nature. This is a fairly sophisticated Chardonnay for the
price, with plenty of layers, and a long finish.
Hendry is a small estate winery located in the south-western Napa
Valley. At Hendry, the family has stressed the importance of their
entire 117 acre vineyard, and they devote their time to understanding
its variation on small scales. Combinations of soil, climate, varietal
and clones are critical, and for this reason, they have divided their
vineyard into 50 different blocks, each managed separately. To the
Hendry's, every block is a learning experience that teaches them about
interactions among these variable, and how they influence fruit
composition and wine quality. Mike Hendry, the fourth generation of
Hendry winemakers, has managed the vineyard full time since 2001.
The Napa Valley is one of the most highly praised regions in the wine
world, and has been ever since the mid-70's (if not the mid-60's for
Robert Mondavi and like-minded pioneers) for the quality of its climate,
and its seemingly inexhaustible supply of moderate, ideal growing
seasons. A region full of climatologically diverse sub-regions, it is a
winemaker's paradise, as they are able to harness the potential of so
many diverse terroirs within such a relatively small area. |
