2015 Chardonnay Bald Mountain
Out of Stock
Wine Specs
Vintage
2015
Appellation
Ben Lomond Mountain
Harvest Date
August 29th
Sugar
22.5 Brix
Aging
Neutral French Oak
Fermentation
Native Yeast
Bottling Date
July 2016
Alcohol %
12.6
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
Tastings Notes by consulting Master Sommelier Ian Cauble:
The 2015 Beauregard Bald Mountain Chardonnay has a light golden yellow core with a touch of green and yellow reflections on the rim. I will start by saying this is my personal favorite Bald Mountain Chardonnay I have tasted in the last decade, and the wine tastes more like the famous white wines of Burgundy than ever before. In this vintage Ryan has removed any new oak and harvested a touch earlier. This has allowed the purity of the fruit from Bald Mountain to shine, and delivers a tasting experience not too different than a serious Meursault, one of the most famous sites for Chardonnay production in France. The nose is gently perfumed with notes of white flowers, honeysuckle, yellow apple, meyer lemon, stirred lees, raw hazelnut, a touch of oyster shells and wet white rocks. The palate is medium-plus in body, with a touch of oiliness, with a refreshing acidity which frames the wine perfectly. On the palate the wine has flavors similar to the nose with notes of crunchy asian pear, lime pith, lemon blossoms, yellow apples, wet stones and a savory mushroom / saline accent on the finish. This wine will get better and better with time and I firmly believe this wine should be rested for at least 2-3 more years for it to really hit its stride. The wine is delicious now, but the best side of this wine will emerge with a bit of time. This is the most age worthy example of Chardonnay I have tasted from Beauregard to date and I can't wait to taste a bottle in 10 years! If consuming this wine in its youth, please decant for at least an hour and serve at or just below cellar temperature (50-55F) in a large Burgundy stem, please not too cold or the wine’s personality will be lost
Vineyard Notes
Bald Mountain Vineyard, located in Bonny Doon, is owned and farmed by Jim Beauregard. Planted in 1990, the 40 acre vineyard sits at an elevation of 920 to 1050 feet on a southwest facing slope. Monterey Bay marine influences combine with the rare white sandy Zayante soil to produces wines with minerality and striking acidity.
Production Notes
The 2015 season was a challenge to say the least. The crop levels were very lean and there was abnormal fog in the spring and summer. Though yields were scary low, the vines produced a great wine. My pursuit is to make wines reminiscent of my favorite region in the world, Chablis in France. This style is lean and mean. We pick early to maintain acidity and to have purposely low alcohol. I also intentionally use low levels of new oak. In this particular wine, I used no new oak. The idea is to let the wine be what it is naturally and not to manipulate it in any way. I could not be happier with the results. I am very proud of this Chardonnay. I am also flattered that Bald Mountain Chardonnay has become our most sought-after wine. I would estimate this wine to age well for 20 years.
Production
429 cases