Clos du Bois Chardonnay Calcaire 2013

A second consecutive year of drought was the primary concern entering the 2013 growing season in Northern California. A mild winter, with very low rainfall, gave way to an early Spring, resulting in bud break two to three weeks ahead of normal in most growing areas. Heavy rainfall in April saturated the soil profile and refilled reservoirs with water sufficient to irrigate vineyards for the growing season, but not enough to end the drought. The vines set a modest size crop with some varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon showing below average yields on the North Coast. Moderate weather conditions prevailed for the late spring and summer, providing ideal conditions for flavor development in the ripening grapes. Due to the early bud break and the ideal growing conditions harvest started 2-3 weeks early and progressed smoothly. Indian Summer weather patterns prevailed through the Fall allowing the grapes to ripen to full maturity prior to being picked and resulting in wines of exceptionally high quality and concentration.