The grapes are harvested by hand in the morning. The fruit from this vineyard is characterized by a beautifully elegant complexity of pear and citrus aromas. Once destemming, pressing, and overnight settling are complete, the juice is removed from the sediment and transferred to French oak barrels. These were specially selected to enhance the fruit quality during barrel fermentation and aging. After fermentation, the wine remains on the lees under controlled temperatures. Weekly stirring (battonnage) of the lees in the barrels ensures maximum flavor depth in the wine. After several months, the wines are removed from the lees and returned to barrels to complete the oak aging process until they reach the desired bottling standard.
The Bateleur improves in size and complexity with age and, under the right conditions, can age for many years in the bottle. This Chardonnay has an intense and broad aroma, lightly toasted but also beautiful citrus fruit, powerful yet subtle, smoky and subtle. The palate is powerful, a beautifully fresh Chardonnay, soft, broad, and mouth-filling, wonderfully intense and lively, with butter, caramel, and nuts, pure length, and abundant complexity.
