Wines
Le Petit Clos Chardonnay Stags Leap District, 2009
Nestled on a northeastern facing hillside on our Pine Ridge Estate and protected by the shade of the pine trees lies a very special 1.7 acre block of Chardonnay vines. Since the early 1980’s, we have cultivated this intimate space to produce one of the only Chardonnays in the Stags Leap District. Limited production.
Vineyards
Le Petit Clos, “the little enclosure,” resides in a unique location on our estate. Sheltered from the heat in the shade of the iconic pine ridge, plantings of both Burgundian Dijon and Corton Charlemagne clones of Chardonnay thrive. These lower yielding clones produce small, intensely flavored clusters and berries.
Harvest & Winemaking
In early September, the fruit was hand-harvested and sorted, then whole cluster pressed. The juice was immediately racked to 30% new French oak barrels where it was fermented. The wine was aged for nine months in barrel and on the lees with occasional stirring. Malolactic fermentation was not allowed to occur so that the wine would retain its crisp acidity and vibrant fruit flavors.
Tasting Notes
Refined and distinguished, our 2009 Le Petit Clos Chardonnay offers an elaborate bouquet of fresh pear, juicy ripe peach and Golden Delicious apple layered with jasmine blossom, sweet caramel and soft vanilla. An intricately woven palate of yellow grapefruit, Meyer lemon marmalade and green fig interlaced with creamy crème brûlée and ground nutmeg carries on long into a clean finish nuanced with hints of flinty minerality and cinnamon toast.
Food Pairing
The sheer beauty of this wine makes it a wonderful companion to a wide variety of fare, from seafood offerings, like smoked trout with crème fraîche or a Dungeness crab crêpe with beurre blanc. Also, try this bottling with a vegetarian preparation, such as a cauliflower potage with roasted apples and chanterelles. Simply elegant, Le Petit Clos also makes a fabulous aperitif.
- SRP
- $65
- Purchase
- Varietal
- 100% Chardonnay
- Appellation
- Stags Leap District, Napa Valley
- Alcohol
- 14.1%
- Released
- November 2010
- Aging Potential
- 3-4 years