1999
Pahlmeyer Chardonnay Napa Valley
“The 1999 is another in a long line of “Industrial Strength” Pahlmeyer Chardonnays. Mouth filling, powerful and rich, this wine has a crisp backbone of minerals and integrated acid surrounding a ripe fruit core.”
— Erin Green, Winemaker, May 2001
100% Chardonnay
- Winemaker
- Erin Green
- Alcohol
- 14.8%
- Harvested Start Date
- October 4, 1999
- Harvested End Date
- October 9, 1999
- Release Date
- August 1, 2001
Winemaking Notes
Harvested at 25.3 brix, the grapes were barrel-fermented with native yeasts and aged in 100% new François Frères French oak barrels for 14 months with full malolactic fermentation.
The 1999 Chardonnay is a dense, concentrated effort with higher acidity than usual (the result of a cool growing season). This outstanding Chardonnay reveals medium to full body, excellent viscosity as well as abundant tangerine, citrus oil, mineral, and buttery tropical fruit aromas and flavors.
Medium yellow. Vibrant, spicy aromas of pineapple, crystallized lemon candy and clove. Dense and penetrating, with excellent intensity and development of flavor. Not exactly fat but concentrated and long. Boasts noteworthy dimension for California Chardonnay.
Notably rich and concentrated, with layers of earthy pear, fig, apricot and nectarine, and touches of toasty oak that are at the same time deep and complex, and elegant and refined. Long, complex finish keeps pumping out the flavors.
