The 2018 Salexis Carneros (Beckstoffer) Lake Vineyard Chardonnay was made from Napa Valley Carneros fruit grown by Beckstoffer Vineyards.

Utilizing the cooler air of night picking, the fruit arrived at the winery at 52 degrees Fahrenheit. The grapes were gently whole cluster pressed yielding the cleanest and freshest juice possible. Using the great white Burgundies of Chassagne Montrachet as a model, the juice was moved to French oak barrels where it was barrel fermented and under went malolactic fermentation, both with native yeast and bacteria. After the fermentations were completed, the wine was aged on the lees for 19 months.

The wine offers the aromas and flavors of a variety of fruits including pears, apples, lemons, and mango. Balanced with oak characters, it will certainly complement a rich seafood or poultry dinner. The 2018 vintage produced fruit with amazing natural acidity which should allow this Chardonnay to continue to develop for 8 to 10 years in the bottle.