Handley Cellars is a small (about
14,000) cases per year) family-owned winery in California's Mendocino
County, bonded in 1982. They are located at the northwest end
of the Anderson Valley on 59 acres of the original Holmes Ranch.
Still standing on the property are teh now refurbished ranch house,
barn and the original water tower. The estate vineyard experiences
cool foggy nights and bright sunny days, the perfect climate for
12 acres of Pinor Noir, 13 acres of Chardonnay and the 5 acres
of Gewurztraminer planted there. All of our estate Chardonnay
and sparkling wines are produced entirely from estate fruit.
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2005
Dry Creek Chardonnay
Winemakers gave this Chardonnay a balanced
oak regime, fermenting and ageing it in a combination of
new and neutral barrels and puncheons (the barrel’s
larger counterpart). This wine exhibits many of the characteristics
you have come to expect from Handley’s Estate Chardonnay:
baked apple, mineral, and pear, with elegance and balance.
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2006
Gewurtztraminer
Good rainfall and no frost during spring in 2006 allowed
the Gewürztraminer vines to develop ample canopy, which
later protected the clusters from excessive heat during
the summer’s July hot spell. We were fortunate to
get grapes from three Anderson Valley vineyards. The fruit
from each contributed different characteristics: some brought
more tropical and floral characteristics, whereas others
brought more mineral and spice. The finished wine has depth
and complexity.
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2006 Pinot
Gris
The
luscious viscosity of this wine is evident when it is
swirled in the glass. Tangerine aromas precede equally
fresh tangerine flavors, with a hint of honeysuckle. It
is rich and full on the palate, with distinctive Pinot
Gris aromatics throughout
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2005
Pinot Noir
The
mix of clones that go into our Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
provided different characteristics to its flavor profile.
The Dijon clones we used (115, 667, and 777) provide beautiful
aromatics of roses, violets, chocolate, blueberry, and strawberry.
The Martini and Roederer clones from our Estate Vineyard
lend dark cherry acidity and silky tannin structure to the
blend, while the Pommard clone offers good mid-palate texture
and long finish. |
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