(2012 Vintage) The 2012 Kirkland Signature Sonoma County Chardonnay is elegant with rich, ripe fruit flavors, balanced acidity and a layered, multidimensional finish. Apple, pear and orange citrus notes are surrounded by hints of vanilla and spice from careful oak maturation. The 2012 vintage will go down as one of California’s cooler growing seasons over the past decade and that plays into the strength of Chardonnay. The summer days were warm, but never too hot, thus the flavors developed slowly while maintaining the grapes’ natural acidity. Harvest started in mid-September with fruit that was loaded with rich, ripe flavors and continued until late October, when another chapter closed of great Sonoma County Chardonnay vintages.