ATTLEBORO • NORWOOD • STURBRIDGE • SWANSEA
Harken Barrel Fermented Chardonnay
Chardonnay, more than any other white wine, is a product of manipulation, meaning quality is reflected in the price. More simply, not all Chardonnay's are created equal. It is easy to make a cheap Chardonnay. The formula is simple. Buy some bulk Chardonnay from somewhere in the flat ripe growing area in California's Central Valley. Crush the grapes and immediately do a quick ferment in huge stainless-steel tanks (often called tank farms), a ruff filter, and chemical settling, and off it goes to the high-speed bottling line. Slap a cute label on it and release it to the market for under $10 a bottle. Ahh, the romance of making wine. Fortunately for us, many wine producers care about making better wine, and at the same time try to keep the cost down for those extra steps.
Harken is an excellent example of making great wine, using methods found in wines that cost much more. Adam Popp, the winemaker of Harken, selects Chardonnay grapes in areas known for quality, Monterey, Clarksburg, and Paso Robles. Adam describes the individual flavors:" Monterey barrels had elements of "ripe lychee fruit, fresh pineapple, white flowers, butterscotch, with complexity and depth on the palate." Clarksburg barrels had "ripe pineapple, bosc pear, vanilla syrup, custard, with softer acid levels." Paso had "ripe citrus (orange), peach, bold fruit, crème brulee, good acid, and structured palate." Another step Harken uses, usually found in much more costly wines, is 100% barrel fermentation for its buttery components. Adam also uses a special type of oak barrel that I had never heard of before called a fusion barrels. A barrel where the staves alternate between American and French oak. Adam says the American oak contributes bold flavors of coconut, vanilla, and an overall sweetness. French oak contributes more subtle spice, coffee, and dark chocolate. The wine gains further complexity through a French method of "bâtonnage," which is the stirring of the lees (old yeast) by hand every two weeks to increase the toasty creamy texture of the wine. The wine is aged for eight months in the barrel.
Obviously, spending all this money by itself on a reasonably-priced Chardonnay is not a sustainable model. Harken is owned by O'Neil Vintners & Distillers, who has a stable of wines that include Robert Hall, Line 39, Charles Woodson's Intercept, Exitus, and more. Jeff O'Neil was recently awarded "Person of the Year" by Wine Enthusiast and is an industry leader in sustainable winemaking practices. It is O'Neil's vast interest in winemaking in California's best wine regions that can afford Harken wines to be made with its high standards at an affordable price.
So that we can pull all the pertinent attributes together on this wine.

  • Grapes sourced from California's premier wine-growing regions
  • Wine is 100% barrel fermented
  • Wine goes through 100% Malolactic Fermentation
  • Wine in the barrel is stirred on its lees every two months
  • Wine is barrel aged in a combination of French and American Oak barrels
  • Aged in barrel for Eight months
  • Cork finished bottle
  • Rated 90 pts by Wine Enthusiast
  • Cost less than S10, way less
Winemaker Notes
Harken Barrel Fermented Chardonnay is 100% barrel fermented to create a rich Chardonnay exhibiting a classic profile of tropical fruit and Bosc pear alongside warm oak aromatics. The luscious palate suggests crème brulée and buttered toast and finishes with fresh acidity.
Accolades
This full-bodied wine leads with bold new-oak aromas of grilled bread, wood char, and butter, followed by luscious, ripe pear and vanilla flavors accented toasted almonds. It's an unapologetic, barrel-fermented wine that gives a lot of pleasure, Wine Enthusiast 90 pts
This Week's Wine Insider Offer
Harken Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2020

In tasting this wine, our primary concern was that it would be too buttery and oaky. I am happy to say the wine is not over the top, and the butter and oak are balanced by the fruit and acid in the wine. On the nose, you definitely get butter and toasty oak, but there is also some tropical fruit. On the palate, it has a rich, creamy texture, luscious fruit balanced with acid that leaves the finish clean. If you are a fan of Kendall Jackson or La Crema, then this wine will fit in your wheelhouse perfectly. The reason we loaded up on this wine was that it will be taking a price increase, making this an even more fantastic price. Now is the time to load up on this well-made wine.
Regular Price: $12.99
*Sale price is on 12 or more bottles
$24 Mail in Rebate on 12 bottles
Final Cost after MIR is $8.00 a bottle
MIR limit is two per household
Wine is packed in a 12-bottle case
How To Place Your Order
To order, simply send an email to your preferred Yankee Spirits superstore with one of the addresses to the right, along with:

Your Name
So we know who to hold the order for and your name is not always obvious by your email.

Desired Quantity
So we know how much to hold.

How'd you like to pay
Let us know what payment options you'd like...

  • Unpaid Hold: We can hold orders as unpaid for the duration of this promotion, but cannot guarantee fulfillment on them.
  • Credit Card: Please don't send credit card information via email.

All request are processed during business hours and in the order they are received. We'll confirm your order via email within 48 hours and when it is ready for pickup. Unless otherwise specified, promotional pricing ends two weeks from email send date.
YANKEE SPIRITS
STORE LOCATIONS
James Taylor
Don Ackerman
John Hannum
Barbara Holt
Pricing is subject to change without notice once this promotion ends in two weeks or when we run out of product. Whichever comes first.
Place your order now with the store contacts above, while you've got all the information at your fingertips.

Cheers!

John Hannum, Fine & Rare Wine Specialist
Attleboro
628 Washington St.
Norwood
942 Providence Hgwy.
Sturbridge
376 Main Street.
Swansea
207 Swansea Mall Dr.
Monday-Thursday
9AM to 9PM
Friday-Saturday
9AM to 10PM
Sunday
10AM to 6PM
We reserve the right to limit quantities. You must be at least 21 years of age to purchase/consume alcohol. Please drink responsibly. Not responsible for typographical errors. Rebate quantities are subject to limitation by the manufacturer. These alcoholic beverages may be subject to payment of Connecticut or Rhode Island Alcoholic Beverage Tax and Connecticut Use Tax, and may be subject to seizure as contraband.