1999 CHARDONNAY
ESTATE GROWN NAPA VALLEY

Notes from Bob Long: The ideal Long Vineyards Chardonnay has pungent Muscat-citrus-melon aromas and flavors with ever-present mineral notes, hints of oak (vanilla-clove) and malo-lactic (light caramel) and crisp acidity with light tannin. The 1999 Long Vineyards Chardonnay is exceptionally well-balanced with great intensity. Thus, it will be one of the better aging wines we have produced. Optimum aging is four to seven years, but for those who like their wines young, it is luscious and mouth-filling now.

Grapes grown at Long Vineyards have very distinctive flavors and aromas created by the combination of unique growing conditions and our 25 years of experienced winemaking. What we aim to achieve each year are Chardonnays that have the best balance and aging potential. Balance means that all the elements of the wine (flavor, aroma, acidity, alcohol, oak and malo-lactic) are at optimum levels of intensity, are distinguishable, and are in harmony with each other. With 'balance' comes 'aging potential,' wine that does not have overbearing or inadequate elements.

Grapes: The 13-acre vineyard was planted more than 30 years ago on the north-facing slopes (500-1000 ft.) of Pritchard Hill, overlooking Lake Hennessey. The Long Chardonnay clone, known for its distinctive citrus, muscat aromas, was brought to the U.S. by Wente in the 1940s from Meursault/Montrachet.

Vinification: Crushing and pressing are quickly done in a one-ton basket press, barrel-fermentation and aging each lot (separately); and lees-stirring, assuring even absorption of oak and malo-lactic fermentation, adding complexity and depth. Each Chardonnay lot is aged in the barrel for nine to ten months until the wine is blended at bottling. François Frères barrels are used for fermentation and aging, rotating in 50% new barrels every year. Harvest Dates: 9/20/99 - 10/5/99.

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