94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
Made to age gracefully and will easily evolve into further greatness for another 6-7 years. We have just a small quantity. Very excited to share this.
Winemaking
The 2018 Sonoma Coast vintage ofered moderate weather, cool evening temperatures and a long, even growing season. The weather conditions were ideal and allowed the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly over the course of summer and early fall. This allowed the grapes to gain flavor complexities and ripe tannins, while retaining natural acidity. The vineyards ofered grapes of exceptional quality and high yields alike. The Gap’s Crown Chardonnay blocks were harvested at night and gently whole-cluster pressed. The juice was fermented at low temperatures to maintain delicate aromatics before being aged in French oak barrels. In 2018, all three components ofered more robust flavors with layers of rich textures that blended seamlessly.
Vineyards
Gap's Crown Vineyard is situated on Roberts Road just above the Sangiacomo Vineyard. This is a high-end hillside vineyard that has become a gem of the Sonoma Coast. We source Chardonnay grapes from three distinctive blocks within the vineyard. The Clone 95 block was planted in 2004 on 16-16 rootstock and has a beautiful south facing aspect. The Clone 76 and 96 blocks were also planted in 2004 running over a ridgeline with a variety of exposures. All of these blocks start of in sandy loam with alluvial gravel, transitioning to iron-rich loam with higher proportions of volcanic rocks as they ascend uphill. Clusters are small and dense with hen and chick berries.
Vintage
The 2018 vintage proved to be an excellent one for Sonoma Coast Chardonnay. Tight cluster formations and small berries resulted in wines with a concentration that rivals the best recent vintages. The 2018 Gap's Crown Vineyard Chardonnay benefited greatly from these conditions, in addition to the careful stewardship of the land. The added benefit of longer hang times is the bright acidity in the fruit. The finished wine is fresh, lively and fruit forward, with citrus and apple aromas that leave your mouth watering.
Analysis
Vineyard: Gap's Crown Vineyard
Appellation: Sonoma Coast
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Fermentation: French Oak barrels 100% Malolactic Fermentation, Native Yeast
Aging: 30% New French Oak
pH: 3.61 TA: 5.9 g/L
Bottled Unfined August 2019
Cases Produced: 150
Alcohol: 14.2%
95 Points
Entices with aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry, and cedar spice. Indicative of the cool vintage, the wine carries a freshness throughout. The palate offers a harmonious balance between bright red fruit, spice, and nicely woven tannins.
95 Points
Deep garnet-purple in color, it strides confidently out of the glass with notes of crushed blueberries, ripe, fresh blackberries and warm cassis plus hints of black cherry, cardamom and nutmeg. The full-bodied palate is full of crunchy black fruits. It's rich and ripe firm chewy tannins provide additional structure and complexity as you make your descent into a long and flavorful finish.
94 Points
Aromas of honey, ginger, and key lime radiate from this elegant Chardonnay. A burst of fresh citrus, lime, and star fruit enlivens the front palate upon first sip and is quickly followed by ginger and white pepper, all underscored by subtle notes of white peach and cardamom. Vibrant acidity and steely minerality give the wine excellent structure as it moves into a long, flavorful finish.
93 Points
Robust aromatics of boysenberry, blackberry, cranberry, and black cherry are the centerpiece of this wine, harmonizing with the underlying aromas of violets, sandalwood, and forest floor. The first sip opens on the palate with a rush of softness and density, and lush, savory tannins. Red berries, blackberry, and cassis envelop the tongue on the mid-palate, gently punctuated with subtle acidity followed by a long, flavorful finish.
94 Points
Aromas of fresh lime, verbena, and gooseberry are followed by a juicy, aromatic front palate with bright acidity that wakes up your taste buds. The heightened aromatics develop even greater complexity on the mid-palate, featuring fresh lemon and star fruit, with just a hint of green apple and mango. Gorgeous structural precision leads to a long and chiseled finish with lasting minerality.
90 Points
Aromas of cranberry, sour cherry, plum, and orange rind, complemented by hints of forest floor, pine needles, and rosemary. The wine opens with flavor of juicy red fruit supported by spicy undertones of red pepper and black tea. The freshness of its red fruit are enhanced a vibrant core of light acidity and full rich tannins all of which linger gracefully in the long finish.
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