winemaking

From a low yielding steep hillside vineyard of Wente clone, it was whole cluster pressed, barrel fermented, lees stirred monthly, kept lively with a good dose of malic in the finished wine. It was filtered and bottled in December 2021.

tasting notes

Steep hillside coupled with low yields again is the source of this compelling wine. Aromas of meyer lemon, grapefruit rind, vanilla and white flower reveals a ripe, clean Chardonnay with a long future. Barrel fermented as usual but mostly in neutral wood, it showcases its well focused but ripe fruit with a steely finish. It shows notes of grapefruit, stone fruit, green apple and nutmeg, followed by vanilla, subtle oak and wax. It is much more Burgundy than California, probably leaner than our past Chardonnays. It seems less expansive but perhaps more in depth so it will be interesting to watch it age. Here is a wine that can stand up to spicy food so bring on Thai green papaya salad, Mexican tacos, Indian curries or anything else that with heat.