93 Points - Wine Spectator
93 Points - International Wine Report
Winemaking
The 2020 Chardonnay grapes were immediately whole-cluster pressed off their skins once picked. Press fractions were managed carefully and the resulting wines impressed, offering expressive fruit aromas and refreshing acidity with layers of rich texture. The individual Sangiacomo vineyard components were harvested at night and fermented separately in 30% new French oak barrels.
Vineyards
The core of our Sojourn Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay is from the same vineyard source as the highly-acclaimed Sojourn Sangiacomo Vineyard Pinot noir wines. This wine features a combination of Clone 95 Chardonnay from Sangiacomo Roberts Road Vineyard and Old Wente Clone from Sangiacomo Vella Ranch and Green Acres. The Roberts Road block, planted in 1998, provides minerality and vibrancy. The Old Wente Clone selections are known to produce distinctively small clusters, low yields, and result in elegant, complex wines that round out this blend. These ranches are perfectly suited for growing Chardonnay, with cool climates and well-draining soils.
Vintage
In 2020 the Sonoma Coast the grape vines woke up early and demanded their normal attention anyway. Work in the vineyards proceeded with smaller crews that practiced social distancing and wore facial coverings. Summer wild fires threatened many vineyards and hard decisions were made not to pick several vineyard blocks. The focus was on producing the highest quality wine.
Analysis
Appellation: Sonoma Coast
Vineyards: Sangiacomo Vineyard
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Fermentation: French Oak barrels 70% Malolactic Fermentation, Native Yeast
Aging: 30% New French Oak
pH: 3.56 TA: 6.3 g/L
Bottled Unfined September 2021
Cases Produced: 450
Alcohol: 14.1%
91 Points
Aromas of raspberry croissant, red currants, cocoa powder and layers of graphite. The palate showcases fine, firm tannins alongside chocolate cherry lollipop, red plums, dried goji berries and toasted brioche. Supple in texture and shows attractive depth on the finish.
91 Points
Layers of strawberry, baked cherry pie, anise, cherry lollipop, wild game, and spicebox. On the palate, black cherry jam couples with crème de cassis, mixed berry crisp, rhubarb, and a touch of vanilla.
92 Points
Blackberry pie, dried Mission figs, baking spices, blackberry coulis and a hint of cigar box on the nose. The palate offers smooth and velvety tannins, chocolate-covered cherries, red currants, huckleberry pie, toasted walnuts, vanilla and hibiscus. A classic example of a perfectly balanced valley floor Cabernet with excellent fruit concentration.
98 Points, Best of Class
Super-Tuscan style blend offering aromas of ripe berries and black fruits, interwoven with hints of vanilla, caramel, raw tobacco, leather, clove, blood orange peel, and roasted walnuts. Rich and generous flavors of briary blackberry, dark cherry, ripe plum and cassis.
90 Points
Polished with a very modern feel - think rich, concentrated, intense, deep and very long, with tons of sexy black fruit, and just the right touch of French oak. This stuff ROCKS for the price!
95 Points
Aromas of wild berry, ripe fig underpinned with hints of licorice, dark chocolate, savory spice, and cigar box. The palate is robust, youthful and bursting with natural energy. Flavors continue to expand vibrant dark cherry, blackberry, fresh currant, ripe plum, with hints of cassis, sage, mocha, cinnamon, and fine French oak.
Big & Jammy!
Picked from old vines in Chiles Valley. Deep Blackberry, plum, smoky blueberry, roasted fig, dried dark flowers, cigar box, spice, black pepper, hints of vanilla, nicely integrated oak. WOW!
92 Points
Aromas of black cherry jam, boysenberry, raspberry, interlace with hints of baking spice, espresso bean, and toasted nut. On the palate ripe and juicy flavors of dark cherry, huckleberry and raspberry are perfectly integrated with notes of spice, dark chocolate, and a kiss of American oak.
94 Points
Violet black in color with aromas of rich fruity dark berries, honeycomb, vanilla, and hints of forest floor join together with bold flavors of black cherry, and spiced nut. Balanced oak, layered palette, leaving you with a enjoyable persistent finish.
Modern, Sexy & Full
Aromas of wild blackberries and blueberries interwoven with enchanting notes of fresh mint, lavender, roasted walnut, savory spices, and a captivating hint of dark chocolate drizzled with fine balsamic. Notes of plum, blueberry and cassis with hints of wild sage, licorice, black pepper, and an elegant touch of fine-grained oak.
91 Points
Aromas and flavors of watermelon, white nectarine, green melon, blanched almonds, white tea, and just a smooch of dried herbs that hit the back palate. Graceful and vivacious and will be enjoyed this year through next.
95 Points
Golden lemon core with a silvery rim, it's full-bodied, plush on the tongue, and delivers phenomenal purity of fruit on the front and mid-palate. Notes of baked lemon pie, Bartlett pear, lemony herbs, and crushed wet rock are everpresent, with balanced acidity and a dried thyme aspect hitting the lengthy finish.
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