Spellbound Chardonnay

What a superb Chardonnay from California, made by the best winemaker in this region, Mr. Mondavi. Spellbound Winery has filled its beautiful California vineyards with Chardonnay grapes. Here, the grapes grow in a wonderful climate with abundant sunshine and a fresh breeze. This wind, which comes from the mountains, gives the Chardonnay grapes a little more freshness, allowing them to ripen longer. As you can imagine, the longer the grapes ripen, the fuller and more powerful they become. Mr. Mondavi's old vineyard is already mature and has deep roots, allowing it to easily absorb moisture from the rich soil structure. The vineyard is situated on a hillside, where the moon illuminates the vineyard at night. This is why the label depicts the moon in various phases. The magical power of the moon contributes to a unique harvest, says Mr. Mondavi.

Wood aging for the Spellbound Chardonnay

After a long, balanced period of ripening on the old vines, it's time to bring in the harvest. This is done entirely by hand at night in the beautiful light of the moon. They usually wait until a full moon, as this provides more light to properly harvest the grapes. The bunches are inspected one by one and transported in small wooden crates to Spellbound. There, they await a gentle pressing, and the golden-yellow juice matures briefly on the lees. After this, the oak barrels are eager to mature the wine. A small portion is aged in steel barrels to preserve the freshness and drinkability of this top Chardonnay. After a few months, the wine is finally married, and the result is astonishing, boasting a power with many ripe nuances.

Full and very powerful, this Chardonnay from Spellbound

As soon as we open the bottle, we immediately notice we're in for a strong one. Beautiful, rich aromas emanate from the bottle, including notes of tropical fruit, almond, and crème brûlée. Pouring reveals a golden yellow color with a yellow sheen that clings to the glass. This is the hallmark of a good, full-bodied Chardonnay. Nosing the glass, we notice powerful aromas of vanilla, roasted nuts, tropical fruit, and a touch of fresh yellow cream. The palate is equally beautiful, with a lovely, thick texture that warms the palate. Initially, lovely flavors of peach, apricot, and a touch of mango complemented by vanilla and cedar. On the back of the tongue, it offers some nutty notes, fresh vanilla, and of course, a hint of oak. And that's unheard of at this price!