Hazelfern Cellars 2019 Stormy Morning Vineyard Chardonnay

This intriguing Chardonnay starts with some huge aromatics that may be indicative of the “Black Chardonnay Method*” Hazelfern uses after the grapes are brought in at harvest. Surprisingly, the wine is almost as light in color as water, but the complex flavors of citrus fruit, volcanic rock, melon and saline minerality tell another story. This is a cool wine!

Pair this wine with Spicy Japanese Tuna Rolls with Soy Sauce or our Tuna Steak recipe.

* The “Black Chardonnay Method” has somewhat of a storied past (Google it!), but it is essentially a process that pre-oxidizes the vigorously-pressed Chardonnay clusters before the juice is fermented, the liquid turns black for a time, but then during fermentation the wine becomes crystal clear. It is said that this preserves the wine and allows it to age much longer. The handful of Chardonnays we have tasted that were done in this way have had a wonderful, distinct light-to-strong volcanic rock aroma and flavor.