Tasting Notes:
Brimming with warm toasted oak, pear compote and vanilla sugar. Subtle notes of pineapple and lemon zest. Vibrant caramel apple, followed by ripe pear and fresh vanilla bean. Light minerality and floral notes add complexity on the palate.
Winemaker Notes:
Chardonnay is a great passion of ours here at Franciscan. We strive for fresh fruit intensity, with the richness and opulence of malolactic fermentation and sur lie aging, and just the right touch of toasty oak. This helps to deliver the delicious, creamy complexity for which Franciscan Chardonnay is known. A portion of the wine is made with native or “wild” yeast, a tradition at Franciscan going back decades. This vintage is a blend made from two renowned Chardonnay winegrowing regions, combining all their best qualities. Its Monterey County components, including fruit from Arroyo Seco and San Bernabe, contribute lush tropical notes, freshness and elegance, while the Napa grapes from Carneros and southern Napa Valley contribute ripe pear and apple notes, and great weight and texture.