93 Points, James Suckling
A true representation of cool climate, high-elevation Chardonnay, offering ripe fruit, incredible concentration, framed by intense acidity and minerality.
VINEYARDS
Bald Mountain Vineyard, Cooper-Garrod Vineyard are both sitting at roughly 1000 ft elevation on opposite sides of the mountain, each vineyard was planted over 30 years ago and experiences impeccable sun exposure with tremendous diurnal shifts in temperature.
VINTAGE
Starting with rain during bloom, 2019 transitioned into a steady, slow to warm spring. Temperate throughout the summer, offering only a couple intermittent heat spikes. Average yields and incredible quality with harvest beginning in early August.
WINEMAKING
Each lot picked individually at peak ripeness. Gently whole cluster pressed, cold-settled for two days, then racked to 35% new French oak barrels. Native yeast fermentation and 100% malolactic fermentation, lees stirred bi-weekly during it’s 12 months of aging.
Vintage: 2019
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Vineyard: Bald Mountain Vineyard, Cooper-Garrod Vineyard
Appellation: Santa Cruz Mountains
Aging: Lees stirred bi-weekly for 12 months on 35% new French oak
Brix: 22.6
pH: 3.43
TA: 6.0 g/100ml
Release Date: November 2020
Alcohol: 13.4%
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.
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.
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