2023 Foretell Chardonnay

2023 CHARDONNAY/ SPRING MOUNTAIN DISTRICT/ NAPA COUNTY

Vineyard:

Properties: Bales Creek
Appellation: Spring Mountain District
Clonal Selections:  Dijon 96
Yield: 1.5 tons/acre

Growing Season: The Vintage of a Lifetime

In 2023, Napa Valley experienced one of the longest growing seasons in a decade or more. With consistent, mild weather throughout the season, above-average crop yields, and extended hang time, 2023 is an exceptional, high-quality, memorable vintage. 

Winter and spring rains led to full reservoirs and healthy, saturated soils; ideal conditions as grape growers headed into bud break. The mild, warm summer weather (72-75 degrees F) supported healthy canopy growth through bloom and set. Relatively cool weather throughout the growing season in tandem with an abundance of sunshine allowed grape skins to ripen slowly and develop exceptional flavor.
 
This Chardonnay vineyard was planted in 2019 to  Dijon clone 96 and is situated in a cool basin at 1600 feel elevation.  We are the exclusive producers of wine from this vineyard and this is the very first Chardonnay that Sam Baxter has ever released for his own brands.  With a late harvest into October, this Chardonnay developed a richness and complexity that is synonymous with the Foretell Wines portfolio.

Harvest  Date: October 8, 2023

Harvest Brix:   24.1° brix

Winemaking

Hand-harvested, picked at night
Whole Cluster pressed
72 hour cold settled at 55° F then racket to barrel for fermentation
Fermented in 75% new French Oak with QA23 yeast for 28 days
Aged 12 months sur lie   in French oak barrels, then racked and aged an additional 3 months prior to bottling
Coopers: 75% new French oak, Vernou and Fouilly Medium Plus tight grain

Notes: This rich and layered Chardonnay opens with delicate aromas of kumquat, tangerine, basil, lemon blossom and kiwi that is backed up by toasted brioche, butterscotch, honey, and allspice.  The bright fruit greets the palate with rich, creamy, and soft phenolics that round out the palate with bright, yet balanced acid with hints of stone fruit on the finish and a touch of marmalade wrapped in lingering notes of caramel and butterscotch. 

-Sam Baxter, Winemaker and Proprietor