Description
Each lot was fermented separately and aged on the lees (“sur-lie”) in small French Oak barrels, with judicious new oak introduced.
This Chardonnay features grapes sourced primarily from the Ricci Vineyard and our Estate vineyard, with additional barrels from the Wildcat Mountain and Sangiacomo vineyards that underwent traditional European winemaking practices.
Bright golden hue. Expressive and appealing ‘gourmand’ nose of crème fraîche and brown butter together with ripe apricots and Mirabelle plums. The palate sensation is one of real freshness, the cool slope vineyard location, refreshed daily by the breezes through the Petaluma Gap, resonating in the succulence of the acidity. The oak regime is carefully integrated on the palate and lends density rather than flavour to the structure of the wine. The fruit component is not overblown, more savoury than the aromatics suggest. The finish is long, linear, and refreshing. The wine leaves behind a perfume on the palate and an overall impression of comfortable elegance. Drinking now and the acidity will allow the wine to age well over the next five to seven years – Clare Tooley MW
