The term “Reserve” is one of those wine words that can have many definitions (or none at all). There is technically no requirement for what constitutes a reserve and it is the discretion of the winemaker to determine which wines or lots are worthy of being held back for this elusive designation. Most typically, “reserve” will mean longer age time, or age time in a specific type of barrel, intensifying or amplifying a character profile that will stand out among its vintage counterparts.

At Charles R, we began working on our first reserve program in 2019. Our flagship wines – Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon – tend to have a structure that lends itself to long oak time. We wanted to see what would happen to those wines if we let the clock run longer and allowed them to age in our most elite barrels. The results have been transformative!

The 2019 Reserve Chardonnay spent 20 months in barrel, and has morphed into a powerhouse of aroma and flavor. Try it side by side with its vintage counterpart and the difference is staggering!

The 2020 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc spent the first half of its age life in stainless steel, then was finished for 6 months in new French oak. This will be one you’ll need to sip and discuss. So much depth and richness!

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon will be bottled in early 2022. It has developed a beautiful intensity that we can’t wait to share with you!

Each of these lots are single barrel reserves. That means there is not a whole lot of any of them. These are member exclusive wines that will not last long. We are so excited our patience is finally paying off and the time has to come to get to share these beautiful wines with our most loyal friends and family!

Cheers,

Lisa 🥂🍇

Make a reservation today for our Reserve Premiere Party, Saturday, January 29th.

2020 Reserve Chardonnay

Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2019
Vineyard Designation: Del Arroyo Vineyard         
Appellation: Livermore Valley
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Alcohol: 13.7%  

NOTES

Tasting Notes   
This wine spent an additional 6 months in new American oak than its vintage counterpart, and what a difference! It has developed an exceedingly rich bouquet filled with notes of pineapple upside-down cake, toasted coconut, white musk and baking spice.  Flavors of lemon custard, vanilla and cake batter glide over the palate.  This long oak age provides a complimentary structure for the bright acidity and will keep evolving with every sip.

Vineyard
The Del Arroyo Vineyard boasts the highest elevation grapes grown in the Livermore Valley – between 700-1100 feet.  This allows wide variations in temperature that allow for prolonged maturation.  Careful attention to canopy and water management gives us extremely consistent fruit year after year.  

Winemaking     
This Chardonnay went directly to press at harvest.  The wine was aged sur lie for nearly 14 months, and developed very slowly in the barrel.    Lees were stirred weekly to enhance mouth-feel and richness.

Fermentation   
Fermentation began in tank with CY3079 yeast, and completed after being transferred to barrel.  We inoculated for malolactic fermentation with a low diacetyl producing strain to minimize acidity and promote a creamy texture without overwhelming notes of popcorn or butter.

Aging   
Aged in barrel for 20 months. Finished in new American oak.

Interests             
Triple crème brie, Scrabble, Restoration Hardware, Philanthropy, pet rescues, and hosting/entertaining.

2020 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc

Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2020
Vineyard Designation: Donovan Vineyard
Appellation: Livermore Valley
Varietal Composition: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol: 13.2%  

NOTES

Tasting Notes   
The Chardonnay lover’s Sauvignon Blanc! Minerality makes a quick cameo, then fades back to make room for white chocolate-covered almonds, marshmallow, pineapple, kumquat, and dried apricot. The palate explodes with lemon creamsicle, white nectarine, wet stone and paraffin.  The push pull between oak-influence and acid makes this a delectably layered, yet balanced sipper that will stand up to some longer age time. 

Vineyard
The Livermore Valley AVA boasts one of the original U.S. appellations granted by the BATF in October of 1982. It has an east-west orientation, making it unique among northern California winegrowing regions. This orientation allows the coastal fog and marine breezes to come in from the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay and cool the valley’s warm air, resulting in warm days and cool nights, ideal conditions for producing fully-ripened, balanced fruit.

Winemaking     
This Sauvignon Blanc went directly to press at harvest.  Fermentation completed predictably and was followed by cold stabilization within the first few months to retain a bright and youthful character.

Fermentation   
A cool fermentation in stainless steel allowed for a slow and steady fermentation period.  No secondary fermentation has kept this wine firmly acidic and refreshing.

Aging   
Aged in stainless steel for 5 months, finished in new French Oak for 6 months.

Interests             
Underrated musicians, Independent films, wedding crashing, doppelgängers, sweater vests, snowshoeing, and vinyl records.