Jordan Estate Tales - Volume 9, 2014 - 21

Jamón Reserva with Dried Sonoma Fruit Salad (far left) and
Salmon Rillettes with Coriander Vinaigrette and Golden Trout
Roe (below) pair beautifully with these wines. View the recipes at
jordanwinery.com/recipes.
2012 CHARDONNAY
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
WINEMAKER'S COMMENTS
Aromas of fresh Fuji apple and Asian pear entice the nose, laced
with intriguing hints of lemon custard, flint-like minerality and
a subliminal caress of integrated vanilla and baking spice from
thoughtful time in French oak. The mid-palate is creamy and
complete with a firm acidity that carries through the persistent
finish. Jordan's 2012 Chardonnay sets a new benchmark for
future vintages.
THE VINTAGE
2012 was truly a phenomenal growing season-every
winemaker's dream. Spring temperatures were cool but not too
cold with minimal rain and no frost scares during budbreak.
Some windy days occurred during the grapevine blooming period
in May, only slightly affecting Chardonnay cluster size. Summer
temperatures were ideal: very moderate with sunny days and
few heat spikes; mornings were foggy but not cold or wet. The
copious quantity of clusters on the grapevines was concerning
at first, but the fruit tasted balanced and concentrated, so we let
the plants continue their natural course. After a long, temperate
summer, the harvest was fast and furious, with white and red
grapes ripening at the same time. But the biggest surprise was
how absolutely stunning this big, bountiful crop tasted in the
tanks-the highest quality bumper crop we've ever witnessed.
THE WINEMAKING
From September 18 to October 7, grapes were handpicked in
the coolness of the night to retain their aromatics and purity
of flavors. The grapes had intense fruit flavors and lively acids
due to the perfect growing season. Ten weeks of sur-lie aging,
with some bâtonnage, heightened the creamy texture of the
mid-palate. Malolactic fermentation was limited to only 29% in
order to preserve the wine's bright acidity and natural expression
of fruit intensity. The wine matured in French oak barrels for
6.5 months before 10 months of bottle age. 100% Chardonnay;
alcohol: 13.5%.
FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONS
The 2012 Jordan Chardonnay is the ultimate pairing wine at the
dinner table, acting as a complement, contrast or bridge to vast
flavors. Expressions of clean and precise fruit, a vivid backbone
of acidity and subtle oak nuances are its key components to
versatility. From halibut ceviche, abalone tiradito and grilled
sand dabs to soft-shell crab, garden tempura and grilled chicken,
the options are limitless.
21

http://www.jordanwinery.com/wines/ http://www.jordanwinery.com/culinary/recipes/Jamon_Reserva_with_Dried_Sonoma_Fruit_Salad http://www.jordanwinery.com/culinary/recipes/Salmon_Rillettes_with_Coriander_Vinaigrette_and_Golden_Trout_Roe http://www.jordanwinery.com/recipes http://www.jordanwinery.com/wines/chardonnay/vintages/2012 http://www.jordanwinery.com/wines/chardonnay/vintages/2012

Jordan Estate Tales - Volume 9, 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Jordan Estate Tales - Volume 9, 2014