William Hill Estate : Napa Valley

2004 Napa Valley Chardonnay

Grape Source

The 2004 Chardonnay is primarily from the Buchli Station vineyard in Carneros and at the high elevation of our vineyards in the Napa Valley, with a small percentage from Sonoma Carneros. The grapes were hand picked in late August and mid September, at an average 24.2° Brix.

Vintage

The 2004 harvest was early, with a bud break in early March to a slow ripening during spring. The crop was small and most major grape varieties ripened well.

Winemaking

The 2004 Chardonnay was fermented and aged in a combination of new (20%) and used (80%) French (70%) and American (30%) oak for eight months.  The wine underwent 100% malolactic fermentation to enhance texture and add a desirable buttery nuance.

Winemaker notes

Our Napa Valley Chardonnay is extremely harmonious on the palate—a powerful burst of fruit followed by a perfect balance of cleansing minerality and luxurious creaminess.  The wine is gently oak-aged and left on the lees, allowing the fruit to shine, bringing out the intense aroma of guava, peach, and nectarine.

Food Recommendations

Enjoy the 2004 William Hill Estate Napa Valley Chardonnay with many seafood dishes, such as sautéed halibut with a fresh lemon and butter sauce, grilled shrimp or salmon, or fresh crab cakes. Try it simply with pasta salad, delicately sprinkled with aged Parmesan, Asiago or Gruyere cheese.