With a few years of age, this has turned into a wonderful balance between generosity and freshness. Has all the hallmarks of great Sonoma Coast Chardonnay—bright fruit, a touch of honeycomb with a firm core.
VINEYARD
The Chardonnay at La Cruz Vineyard sits on a hillside that overlooks the Petaluma River, a few miles southeast of the town of Petaluma. It’s a late ripening site and the vines are small. Recently converted to organic farming in an effort to boost soil health. The harvest comes late here, around the end of September/beginning of October most years. The Wente selection of Chardonnay here is considered by many winemakers to be the best of the many Chardonnay selections available—small clustered, low yielding, concentrated flavors.
WINEMAKING
Whole cluster fruit is sent through just the rollers on a destemmer to break up the bunches and begin extraction before splitting the wine in half between oak and concrete. After time in each vessel, the wines are swapped so that all wine sees both materials. Native yeast is used for both primary and naturally occurring malolactic fermentation with use of battonage. Fermented and aged in a combination of concrete eggs and neutral oak barrels.
VINTAGE
2016 was a good year to be a grapevine, after four years of drought the winter finally gave up a bit of rain. The growing season, although somewhat warm and early, was forgiving as the fruit came in the door in excellent shape across the board. After the lower yields of the previous vintage, it was nice to have a good amount of fruit to work with.
Vintage: 2016
Wine Type: White, Still, Dry
Farming: Biodynamic
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay, Clone 4, Wente
Vineyard: La Cruz Vineyard
Appellation: Petaluma Gap, Sonoma Coast
Winemaker: Byron Kosuge
94 Points
Deep red-purple with aromas of black currents, blackberry, plum, chocolate, earthy forest floor, licorice, graphite, and subtle floral notes of violet, spice and cracked pepper. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry fruit with notes of earth, firm acid and silky tannins. Finishes big with blackberry fruit and peppery spice.
95 Points
Lofty aromas of dark cherries, blackberries, and plum mingle with hints of baking spices and a touch of violet. The palate reveals luscious flavors of ripe berries, complemented by notes of black pepper and a subtle earthiness. With well-integrated tannins and a long lingering finish.
93 Points
Dark fruit with blueberry fruit aromas and notes of mocha and cassis. The texture is silky, rich and mouth-filling with berry pie, black tea, exotic spice and notes of chocolate fudge on the palate. Fine grain tannins lengthen the finish with dark fruit flavors mingling with just a hint of mint.
90 Points
Deep garnet in color, with enticing aromas of brandied cherry, lavender, and forest floor. The palate is juicy and engaging with blueberries coursing through with depth and keeps you running back for more. Pure and balanced with perfect levels of acidity with notes of salted caramel, and cocoa. It's ripe silky tannins lead to a long supple finish that just keeps on giving.
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
94 Points
Deep garnet in color from the ripe 2018 vintage, with open aromas of lush fruit – plum, blackberry, and cherry, and notes of cedar, vanilla, and white pepper. Across the palate it's quite seamless and silky, rich and concentrated. The fruit flavors are bold and vibrant. Mouth-filling with smooth tannins, great texture and a long delicious finish.
Exceptional!
Reddish-purple in color with aromas of blackberry, plum, pomegranate, herbs de Provence, and licorice. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry, cassis, and licorice that carries through, with notes of black pepper, mocha and chocolate. Very long, spicy, with a fruit-driven finish. Great aging potential.
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
PDF