Hamacher Chardonnay 04
winery: Hamacher
Eric Hamacher's Chardonnay is the result of a longterm plan to re-invent Oregon Chardonnay, a wine that lacked character and richness in the 80's and 90's. Eric identified new clones of Chardonnay, and starting in 1995, developed a program of winemaking that continues today. He adds texture and weight to Oregon Chardonnay, approaching the characteristics of very good white Burgundy.
MORE INFORMATION
The Hamacher Chardonnay is named for the French
barrels used to age the wine. All
of the barrels come from a single cooper in France
and are their "top
of the line" product. Named "Forêts
Diverses" (mixed forests)m the name adds to
the individuality of the Hamacher Chardonnay, hence
the name Hamacher Chardonnay Cuvée
Forêts
Diverses. The
Forêts Diverses barrels are especially well
suited to the Hamacher Chardonnay for two reasons:
First, the wood for the barrels comes from four
different forests in France, adding complexity to
the flavors contributed to the wine by the barrel
oak. Second, the oak
staves are stacked on pallets and stored outside,
curing for 36-48 months, an unusually long period
for such barrels. The additional aging time allows
the astringent phenolics contained in young wood
to disapate, lessening the tannic astrigency and
"chewing on a stick" quality that young oak can impart
to wine. The quality of the flavors imparted to the
wine while in barrel is dramatically improved. Spiciness
and sweetness are increased while puckery tannins
are removed. Hamacher Chardonnay
is naturally fermented with the wild
yeast and bacteria present in the vineyard. The wine
goes through two fermentations, taking up to 10 months
of the 18 while in barrel. In the first year of aging
in wood, the barrels are stirred weekly. Stirring
puts the yeast back into solution and adds both flavor
and texture to the wine, with glycerol from
the cell wall of the yeast the source of components
resulting in silky, smooth texture. The Hamacher
Chardonnay stays in barrel until bottling.
