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Beringer
2023 Beringer Luminus Chardonnay
$468.00
Case
(12)
Price
$468.00
Member Pricing
Tasting Notes
This vintage of Luminus presents with a bright and lively profile, driven by refreshing acidity and a restrained yet expressive character. On the nose, there is a boisterous bouquet of ripe citrus fruits, lemon curd, and Asian pear complemented by delicate notes of white floral blossom and a delicate hint of lanolin. The palate offers a lovely Red Delicious apple mid-palate with layers of almond and a notable salinity, a classic nod to the Oak Knoll sourcing, which adds complexity and balance. The judicious use of French oak is subtle, offering nuances of warm baking spices without overpowering the wine’s natural vibrancy, and the bâttonage (lees stirring) adds a richness in texture, exhibiting a creamier mouthfeel. The absence of malolactic fermentation allows the wine to maintain its crispness and purity, highlighting the cooler Oak Knoll component, which provides a distinctive acid profile. The fi nish is long and inviting, lingering on the palate with a sense of minerality and depth. A wine of fi nesse and elegance, from an excellent vintage, showcasing balance and freshness with a touch of restraint.Technical Information
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Volume | 750mL |
| Appellation | Oak Knoll |
| Blend | 100% Chardonnay |
| Oak Treatment | Seven months in (13% new) French oak |
| Alcohol % | 13.9% |
| pH | 3.33 |
Winemaking
Each Chardonnay lot was kept separate throughout the aging process. After sending the fruit directly to press, the juice was fermented in French oak barrels (13% percent new). The lees were stirred every other month to integrate the subtle oak notes and help develop a polished texture. Our winemakers focused on showcasing the unique characteristics of this premium quality Oak Knoll Chardonnay by crafting the fi nal blend after seven months of aging in French oak barrels.Vintage
The 2023 harvest proved to be another unusual one, with a mild growing season allowing the vines to progress at a leisurely pace. The slow and steady ripening resulted in an unprecedented late harvest, spanning from mid-September to the beginning of November. Adding to the uniqueness was the simultaneous ripening of Chardonnay and Cabernet grapes. This convergence led to bustling days in the winery, but our dedicated cellar team, with the support of our harvest interns, played a crucial role in overcoming the challenges. Their commitment and hard work contributed significantly to ensuring the success of this exceptional vintage. Despite the challenges posed by the late and compressed harvest season, the mild weather contributed to the production of exceptionally fresh wines. These wines are characterized by excellent acidities, vibrant colors, and ideal tannins. Grapes for this 2023 Luminus were picked between September 6 and October 7, 2023.Vineyard
Since its inaugural release in 2012, Luminus has always been a single-vineyard Chardonnay from Big Ranch Vineyard, located in the Oak Knoll AVA. Situated on the valley floor and at the southern end of the Napa Valley, Big Ranch is the ideal location for this Chardonnay. With its heavy clay soils and the cooling influence of the San Pablo Bay and nearby Napa River, Big Ranch is able to preserve acidity and minerality in the grapes. A selection of Burgundian clones that show excellent early development provide an elegant complexity and fruit weight to the blend.