Latah Creek Winery Chardonnay

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Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley

BACKGROUND
Father/daughter winemaking team, Mike and Natalie, love this vineyard source for their Chardonnay. The northern location gives way to cool nights, which allow sugars to mature and acid levels to stay intact. They enjoy offering an approachable, often fruity, Chardonnay, with just a hint of oak.

SOURCING
Familigia Vineyards, 100% Chardonnay

WINEMAKING
2018 was an interesting year for grape growing. Each month the temperatures were on one side of the spectrum of hot and cold. In April, it was cold enough that bud break was late. Then May was one of the warmest on record, putting ripening ahead of schedule. This was followed by June, which was cooler than normal. July and August temperatures were so warm, that heading into veraison, 2018 was looking to be the warmest on record. But then it cooled significantly in mid- September,creatingidealconditionsforthegrapesstillonthevine. Our Chardonnay was allowed two extra weeks on the vine compared to 2016 vintage, which gave the fruit tons of flavor, especially tropical. The wine was fermented in stainless steel at cooler temperatures, to retain its forward fruit characteristics. A Malolactic bacterium was added to cause a nearly complete secondary fermentation, softening the acids and smoothing out the wine. 3 months in 100% new French oak rounded the finish.

ANALYSIS
Harvest Data: October 10, 2018 Brix: 23.8 TA: 0.66 pH: 3.2
Alc.: 13.0% RS: 0.1 %
Bottled: August 13, 2019 | 683 cases | Released: December 2019

WINEMAKERS
Mike Conway and Natalie Conway-Barnes

TASTING NOTES
This wine opens up with aromas of lemon, golden apple and butter. The rich and creamy mouthfeel begins with flavors of mango and pineapple, mingled with soft oak, while lemon and mineral nuances linger. A nearly complete malolactic fermentation and 3 months in French oak lends to a smooth, velvety, and lightly toasted finish.

FOOD PAIRING
Enjoy this wine with Fish, Seafood, Cream Sauces, Salads, Pork, and Lighter Beef Meals. Try Ellena’s Red Onion Chardonnay Soup recipe, Ellena’s Fettuccine Alfredo recipe, or Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders recipe, all published in her latest cookbook, available for sale at the winery.