Beringer 'Private Reserve' Chardonnay 2007
To retain the brightness of the flavors, each Chardonnay lot was kept separate throughout the aging process. After sending the fruit directly to press, winemaker Laurie Hook fermented the juice in French oak barrels (62 percent new) to enhance the natural richness in the wine. Weekly lees stirring enhanced the toasty notes, and integrated the oak flavors for an overall balance. All of the wines were put through malolactic fermentation to encourage a lush creaminess. After 9 months aging, Winemaker Laurie chose the most expressive lots and blended them to create a richly layered wine featuring flavors of citrus, baked pear, hints of minerality and a creamy mouthfeel.