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2002 MEADOR ESTATE "OLD VINE" DRY CHENIN BLANC
Winemaking Notes
Meador Estate "Old Vine" Dry Chenin Blanc
After nearly thirty-years of working with this variety we have found a small area in our vineyard composed of small rock and gravel on a slight slope facing the river that gives us this exceptional wine. These vines are now twenty-eight years of age. Our yields are very low; our old vines are into their highest quality productive years. We hand pick the clusters selectively, often 3 passes across one block of vines. We press promptly upon removal from the field, gently running the presses not squeezing hard and settle the juice in tank. Our juice is not mechanically separated; we do not own a centrifuge.
Once the juice settles clear (36 hours or so) it is racked into barrels for fermentation. We use older more neutral or seasoned Seguin Moreau French Oak barrels originally used for Chardonnay. We do not wish heavy oak flavors on Chenin. This procedure follows the Vouvray historical approach and gives the wine smoothness not achievable in stainless steel tanks. It also allows small quantity contact with yeast cells and particulates. After about one year of barrel time, the wine is pulled from barrel to tank for assemblage, cold stabilization, filtering and bottling.
Tasting Notes The wine is delicate and crisp with tremendous characteristics of mango, papaya and lime. This wine will age for many years keeping with a true Vouvray Dry Chenin style. It is a pleasurable companion to those foods using butter and cream. Dry Chenin is marvelous with light pastas white sauced, seafood, and salads or as an aperitif.
Technical Data:
Alcohol:
13.9%
Total Acidity:
.58
pH:
3.67
Residual Sugar:
Dry
Composition/Blend:
100% Chenin Blanc
Appellation:
Arroyo Seco AVA (Monterey County, CA USA)
Fermentation:
Barrel Fermented
Barrels:
"Seasoned" Sequin Moreau
Vineyard:
100% Estate, Ventana Vineyard
Soil Type:
primarily a calcareous composition of alluvial deposit with rock and gravel
2999 Monterey-Salinas Highway, Monterey, CA 93940 - 831-372-7415
