Hafner Vineyards

2009 Chardonnay

Recent Tasting Notes

Lovely. Opens with fruit-forward aromas of pear and melon. Soft, supple on the
palate with vanilla cream and bright fruit flavors. Will age well for at least
another year or two.
Winemaker's Notes
Drought conditions continued in 2009 with few Winter rains and warm temperatures.
Rain finally came in May. Summer temperatues were ideal for grape growing - cool
nights and warm days - allowing grapes to ripen slowly and maximize flavor. Harvest
began on September 8 with the juice measuring:
23.6° Brix sugar
0.68 g/100 mls titratable acidity
3.44 Ph
To add complexity and depth, we fermented 45% of this wine in French oak barrels
producing a roasted nuts aroma and greater depth on the palate. The remaining 55%
was fermented in stainless steel tanks at 56° F to retain more of the grapes’
aromas of citrus and tropical fruit. After alcoholic fermentation, 45% of the wine
underwent malolactic fermentation, converting the wine’s natural malic acid to the
softer lactic acid, adding a buttery character to the aroma and a rich, creamy
texture on the palate.
Aged for nine months in French (86%) and American (14%) oak, then bottled in July
2010, the wine had:
14.1% alcohol
0.56g/100 mls titratable acidity
3.57 pH
The 2009's young, bright fruit opens with sweet grapefruit and melon aromas. Its
soft entry, mineral notes and vanilla toastiness add richness and complexity to the
wine. It has a nice weight in the midpalate and a long finish that allows longer
enjoyment of this vintage. As the 2009 ages, it will develop the nuances of bottle
bouquet that are found as our Chardonnays mature.