An obvious companion at table, we also love it on its own.
If you're willing to hold, this will make and outstanding cellar candidate.
Prime drinking: Late 2021 through 2029+
Graceful ageability: 2030+
Winemaking
Raised in a combination of French oak puncheon and barrel, they carefully paired the wood to the wine to support rather than obscure. What finally makes it to bottle presents both richness and a vibrant core.
Vineyard
Sangiacomo Green Acres was planted in 1969, and was the family’s first vineyard. Surrounded by two creeks, it enjoys an unparalleled microclimate of sunshine and cool breezes. Old Wente and Hyde Chardonnay clones yield teeny berries with highly concentrated flavors giving rise to a very special wine honoring a farming tradition of nearly 100 years.
Vintage
A near-perfect growing season kicked off 2019 with consistent winter rains followed by cool spring weather. Bud break arrived late with a smaller fruit set mostly due to significant rain during bloom in May for a slightly below average crop yield. A steady summer growing season with no heat spikes and little rain during harvest set the stage for ideal maturity and balance. This vintage we were able to achieve full phenolic flavor development along with ideal ripeness, making for an exceptional vintage. As always, harvested in the early morning hours during the coolest part of the day to preserve flavor and balance.
Analysis
Appellation: Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County
Vineyard: Sangiacomo Green Acres
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Clones: 96% Hyde | 4% Old Wente
Aging: 14 months, 10% New French Oak
pH: 3.44 TA: 6.5 g/L
Bottling: December 3, 2020
Release date: Spring 2021
Alcohol: 14.4%
Dark ruby red in the glass, and good swirl on the nose offers generous aromatics of cassis, black cherry and spice. Generously oaked, with crushed blackberry, baked plums, baking spices, and Turkish fig. A supple body, gives way to red and dark fruit like plum, blueberry compote, prune, with anise and light spice on the finish.
92 Points
Ruby in color, with oaky aromas of crushed violets, berry cobbler, cherry and creme brulee leading into crushed blackberry with cassis notes that are laced with hints of licorice root, sweet bay and loam. Its encompassing and bold mouthfeel are outstanding, as deep tannins dance around the palate, finishing with flavors of blackberry, fig, and pipe tobacco.
Exceptional
Aromas of bright oak, essence of lilac, toasted brioche and sage delight your senses. Flavors are just as complex with hints of soft melted butter, quince, fig, and a touch of lavender that titillate your taste buds. Its delightful texture is balanced by great acidity, leading to a long satisfying finish. Truly a chardonnay lovers Chardonnay.
