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%
All Wines
93 Points
Rich, dark black fruits, blueberries, blackberry bon bons, cassis, fragrant violets, tobacco leaf, and baking spices. Long, plush tannins alongside its dense fruit character. The palate delivers baked berry crisp, black and red fruits, toasted walnuts, brioche and cedar on the finish.
91 Points
Deep garnet-purple color with enticing and fragrant with notes of blackberry pie, Bourbon soaked maraschino cherries, Madagascar vanilla bean, mission figs, graphite, candied walnut, and cedar. Its palate provides big, round chewy tannins, stewed black plums, brambly black fruit, toasted nuts, char, and a touch of dark roast coffee.
90 Points
Black cherry cordial, fresh blackberries, strawberry rhubarb pie, mocha, cedar, dark chocolate, and a hint of graphite on the nose. The palate is bursting with mixed berry compote, blackberry jam, cacao bean, and toasted walnuts on the finish. This wine has great texture that ultimately finishes with round, silky smooth tannins.
PDF