Description

MAX FAMILY RESERVE CHARDONNAY, Sonoma County, 2018

Max Restaurant Group is very pleased to announce the addition of a new wine to our very successful Max Family Reserve series – often known as “Max Cuvee”. As an extension of the Max Cuvee series, the 2018 Chardonnay is the third release and style of production.

The Grapes: The 2018 Max Family Reserve Chardonnay was crafted from two outstanding vineyards. Stuhlmuller Vineyards on the banks of the Russian River where the 3 AVA’s of Alexander Valley, Chalk Hill and Russian River converge makes up 80% of the fruit. The other 20% comes from Jaxon Keys Vineyard in Mendocino, a vineyard that was planted in 1983 and provides small yields of beautifully concentrated fruit.

The Season: The 2018 growing season in Sonoma was characterized by many winemakers as exceptional. The Spring started with near perfect fruit set and the weather stayed consistent throughout the summer with many fewer heat spikes than normal. The season provided for an abundant crop with clean healthy fruit.

The Winemaker: Acclaimed winemaker Leo Hansen harvested the Stuhlmuller fruit at 21.7 Brix while the Jaxon Keys fruit came in at 23.1 Brix, allowing the wines to showcase their natural acidity. Leo used older French oak barrels to ferment and age roughly 50% of the wine. This barrel aged wine was aged Sur Lie with regular batonage for 9 months. The balance of the wine was aged in tank to blend in the wine’s natural crisp acidity while maintaining the vineyard fresh Chardonnay characteristics. This achieved a textured and complex Chardonnay that works perfectly with the cuisine of the Max Restaurant Group restaurants.

Flavors: Subtle Anjou pear and apple aromas are complimented by a slight touch of oak. On the pallet the orchard fruit flavors express themselves alongside layers of citrus, minerality and a hint of vanilla.

Technical Data:

Alcohol: 13.2%

pH: 3.31

Total Acidity: 5.71 g/L 100ml

Production: 1100 cases

Bottle Date: June 27, 2019

Release Date: July 22, 2019

About the Label: Max Family Reserve as well as the Max Restaurant Group are named after Max Veroff – the grandfather of President and Founder Rich Rosenthal. At MRG we are committed to and celebrate family, service and hospitality. It is with these thoughts in mind that we honor Max with this label and his wine.

Photo credit – Walter Rabetz

Label design – Liz Edwards

~offered for sale through Max Catering & Events~