94 Points - International Wine Report
94 Points - Owen Bargreen
Winemaking
The Sangiacomo Chardonnay grapes ripened at a slow pace with the cool weather of 2023. Picked at lower brix to retain fresh acidity and elegant fruit aromas. Both blocks were whole-cluster pressed after being picked at night. This wine was fermented in French oak barrels, 30% new.
Vineyards
The core of the 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 Green Acres ranch. The Roberts Road block, planted in 1998, provides minerality and vibrancy. The Old Wente Clone selection is known to produce distinctively small clusters, low yields, and results 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
2023 brought an end to several years of drought in California, with ample rains during the winter months. Colder temperatures delayed budbreak, and the vines woke up later than usual. Moderate spring and summer temperatures followed, allowing the grapes to ripen evenly and develop complex flavors. Harvest began three weeks later than average in the Sonoma Coast, and yields were plentiful.
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: 3.42 TA: 6.9 g/L
Bottled Unfined August 2024
Release date: January 2025
Cases Produced: 450
Alcohol: 14.1%
97 Points
Rich dark fruit flavors of blackberry and cherry with notes of baking spices, licorice, coffee, and chocolate that interlace seamlessly with complexity, creating a wine that is both structured and delightfully supple, achieving an ideal balance of tension and grace. Artfully composed of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon with 17% Cabernet Franc, resulting in harmonious depth and freshness.
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