An Outstanding Vintage Showcases the Classic Style of Carneros Napa Valley
NEW YORK, NY (February 24, 2016) — Artesa has just released two of their most exclusive wines from an outstanding vintage: Artesa Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2013 and Artesa Estate Reserve Pinot Noir 2013. These memorable releases from the Estate Vineyards in Carneros Napa Valley combine the delicate aromatic expression, which is a signature of this cool climate region, with a bright acidity and concentration that stems from the stone soils and higher altitudes of the Artesa estate.
“We have so much working for us naturally in our estate vineyards, and 2013 was an ideal growing season to showcase it all,” said winemaker Ana Diogo-Draper. “We farm over fifty blocks planted at the highest elevations in Carneros Napa Valley. Our estate yields spectacular Chardonnay and Pinot Noir fruit with the kind of minerality, structure and character that you simply can’t achieve in many places.”
The philosophy of winemaking at Artesa is to always be true to where the grapes are grown. Diogo-Draper hand-harvests the Estate wines by block, then practices wild fermentations to further preserve the character of the vineyard. 2013 benefitted from a long growing cycle marked by early bud break, and excellent fruit set and berry development. As Diogo-Draper explains: “The benefit of an early season like 2013 is the ability to let the crop hang longer allowing optimal flavors to develop. 2013 was a great vintage in the vineyard and in the cellar, allowing us to find beautiful components for our Estate wines.”
2013 Artesa Estate Reserve Pinot Noir (Carneros Napa Valley)
Winemaking: Grapes were destemmed but not crushed. Berries were cold-soaked in stainless steel tanks for 4 days to gently extract color and flavor without harsh tannins. Following a 14-day fermentation using native yeasts, the wine ages in French oak barrels (50% new) for 10 months.
Tasting Notes: Delicate aromas of raspberry, cherry and strawberry balanced with fresh acidity. A hint of classic Carneros rose petals and violets lend a floral component. (SRP: $40.00)
2013 Artesa Estate Reserve Chardonnay (Carneros Napa Valley)
Winemaking: Grapes were whole cluster-pressed using a slow cycle that gently pushes the must. 100% of the juice is placed in French oak barrels (50% new). After primary fermentation, 70% undergoes malolactic fermentation and then ages on its lees for 8 months prior to bottling.
Tasting Notes: The wine is made from individual blocks which become the components for the final blend. The wine shows fantastic aromatic complexity with subtle notes of nectarine, vanilla and honeycomb, matched by a well-balanced mouthfeel with lingering flavors of white peach and Meyer lemon. (SRP: $40.00)
About Artesa Vineyards & Winery
Artesa Vineyards & Winery focuses on terroir-driven wines that capture the essence of Carneros Napa Valley. Founded by the celebrated Codorníu Raventós winemaking family from Spain, Artesa just celebrated its 25th harvest and the family legacy dates back centuries earlier to 1551. Artesa sustainably farms over 150 acres of estate vineyards – all Napa Green Land Certified – planted in the pristine foothills between Carneros and Mt. Veeder. The cool climate of the area, moderated by consistent fog and wind, allows the grapes to ripen slowly, giving the fruit ample time to develop rich complexity while retaining crisp natural acidity. The rocky soils are ideal for estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which are farmed by block, hand-harvested and fermented by wild yeast and puncheon to preserve the character of every component. Consistently named a top tasting destination in Napa Valley, Artesa is architecturally-styled to blend naturally into the beauty of the area. Artesa wines are nationally represented by Aveníu Brands, Baltimore, MD, a division of Bodegas y Viñedos Codorníu Raventós.
