winemaking

From a low-yielding, steep hillside vineyard of Wente Clone, it was whole cluster pressed, barrel-fermented, lees stirred monthly, and kept lively with a good dose of malic in the finished wine. It was filtered and bottled in April of 2024.

tasting notes

Steep hillsides coupled with low yields again is the source of this compelling wine. All year round, this well-focused but deep Chardonnay is exactly what we strive to achieve. Exquisitely balanced between ripe butterscotch, pear, nutmeg, vanilla flavors, and refreshing bright citrusy notes of meyer lemon and green apple, it is a see-saw between creaminess and lively freshness. These are the flavors at 50-55 degrees. At a fridge temp of 35-38, it would show simple and one dimensional. On the high side, like 65+, it would show rich with diminished acidity. This is our usual non malolactic Chardonnay, barrel-fermented and lees stirred for texture. Oak is present but not dominant. It is very yummy now and with age will gain creaminess as our past chardonnays have shown.