Hamacher Signature Chardonnays are aged for 18 months in premium French oak barrels made from staves which are minimally toasted and aged for nearly twice as long as the industry norm. This leeches out all of the astringent phenolics and allows the wine to soften and integrate without absorbing harsh tannins or toastiness.

The 2016 opens with ripe dark-fruited, savory notes that jump from the glass.  It's a dynamic wine that leads to difficulty pinning down exact description of the aromas:  cedar, cinnamon, anise, red candy, and mineral/saline undertones turn to grilled meat, brown sugar, ripe plums and cherry blossom perfume upon aeration.  Full mouth coating entry, true to nose, sweet midpalate, broad, oily and viscous, spicy dark baked fruit with bright pie cherry edges.  Supple ripe tannin backbone and stealthy supporting acidity lead to a full, silky and very long supple finish.  This is the texture that Pinot aspires to!