Orange blossom, crushed gravel, sweet grass, and graham cracker create a heady perfumed aroma that showcases a classic expression of Sangiacomo Chardonnay with nuanced hints of oak. The wine has a soft, supple entry with lively energy and flavors of golden pear and honey that linger on the finish.
In order to maximize quality, the harvested grapes went directly to press as whole clusters and were gently pressed. This provides a distinct mouthfeel texture. After settling, the juice was racked in French oak barrels for fermentation and aging, with 18% new French oak, and 22% one-year-old barrels. The wine was aged for nine months before being bottled on August 16, 2023.
The 2022 vintage was impacted by a third consecutive year of drought that resulted in up to a 10-30% reduction in yields. The growing season was temperate, which in grape growing means we were on track or ahead of normal growth. Then we saw some heat spikes that prompted our first picks. 2022 was a year for vintage-to-vintage variation and differentiation between vineyards. Our Sangiacomo grapes were harvested on three separate days from September 12 through 20, 2022.
For three generations, the Sangiacomo family has been growing grapes in Sonoma County. As master winegrowers, their fruit is highly prized for its consistent quality and delicious flavor profiles. The grapes for this Chardonnay came from three acclaimed blocks of the famed Sangiacomo Vineyard: the Kiser, Home Ranch, and El Novillero blocks in equal parts. We have been proud to work with the Sangiacomos since our debut 1987 vintage.