With a medium golden color reminiscent of freshly baked shortbread and alluring layers of persimmon, ripe Meyer lemon, and rich brioche, this is an elegant and alluring wine. Lush, textural, and beautifully complex on the palate, its bright citrus flavors and cool-climate energy showcase the poise and purity of great Sonoma Coast Chardonnay.
To preserve the bright, delicate character of the fruit, all of the grapes went direct to press as whole clusters and were then gently pressed. After settling, 77% of the juice was racked into French oak barrels for fermentation, 14% of which were new, with 15% once-used barrels. To provide freshness and focus to the blend, 23% of the wine stayed in stainless steel tanks for a cool fermentation and never went to barrel. The lots were aged on the lees for six months, with occasional lees stirring to increase richness and body. To achieve balance, a rich mouthfeel, and crisp acidity, only a partial secondary fermentation was completed. The blend was assembled in May of 2022, just prior to bottling, which occurred on May 23, 2022
The 2021 vintage produced amazing wines. Yields were down slightly, and ripening occurred in a shorter period of time than in most years. The vines had slightly stunted growth perhaps from the drought the year before. Though things were picked earlier than usual, the weather was mild around harvest, allowing the acids to be crisp and the berries to be ripe. All of the grapes were hand-harvested between August 30 and September 27, 2021.
The grapes for this Chardonnay came from several exceptional Sonoma Coast vineyards, including the Sangiacomo and Ricci vineyards in Carneros, and sites farmed by the renowned Dutton and Martinelli families in the Russian River Valley. Selected for their cool climates and unique growing conditions, these vineyards lend distinct and complex characteristics to our Sonoma Coast Chardonnay.