93 Points, James Suckling
A true representation of cool climate, high-elevation Chardonnay, ripe fruit, incredible concentration, framed by great acidity and a clean mineral finish.
VINTAGE
2022 started early, with bud break in early March. Late spring cold weather, with much-needed precipitation, helped shape the season, in another record drought year. Premature summer warmth, with a record early harvest in late July. While the vintage was marked by incredible variation across each growing region, and low yields throughout, the wines are lively and fruit-forward with balanced tannins.
WINEMAKING
Each lot picked individually at peak ripeness. Gently whole cluster pressed, cold-settled for two days, then racked to 50% Concrete egg, 15% new French oak, neutral barrels and stainless steel. Native yeast fermentation and 100% malolactic fermentation, lees stirred bi-weekly during its 12 months of aging.
VINEYARDS
Each site was planted over 30 years ago and experiences impeccable sun exposure with tremendous diurnal shifts in temperature.
Vintage: 2022
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Appellation: Santa Cruz Mountains
Vineyards: Cooper-Garrod Vineyard, Regan Vineyards
Aging: 50% Concrete egg, 15% New French oak, neutral and stainless barrels
Brix: 21.9
pH: 3.26
TA: 6.3 g/100ml
Release Date: June 2023
Alcohol: 13.9%
All Wines
99 Point Vintage
Bold and luxurious, rich and forward with a deep garnet-purple color, it strides confidently out of the glass with subtle hints of herbs de Provence, lavender, into black fruit with notes of crushed blueberries, fresh blackberry, warm cassis, tobacco and barrel spices galore.
94 Points
Blueberry, currant and sweet spice on the nose, with satiny layers of marionberry, and fresh macerated blackberries, surrounding a core of leather, tobacco leaf, sandalwood, and tobacco. Medium to full bodied, it's polished and creamy with nice weight on the mid palate.
94 Points
Deep garnet-purple in color and strides confidently out of the glass with notes of crushed blueberries, ripe blackberry, and warm cassis with hints of cherry, black olive, currant and a touch of black pepper.
96 Points
Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, huckleberry, floral violet and savory spice. The palate is full and layered, with robust, age-worthy tannins and gorgeous flavors of dark berries, mocha and chocolate-covered cherries mingling with hints of graphite, fig and fine leather. Smooth tannins, firm structure and silky texture coat the palate on route to a long, generous finish.
94 Points
Deep garnet in color from the ripe 2018 vintage, with open aromas of lush fruit – plum, blackberry, and cherry, and notes of cedar, vanilla, and white pepper. Across the palate it's quite seamless and silky, rich and concentrated. The fruit flavors are bold and vibrant. Mouth-filling with smooth tannins, great texture and a long delicious finish.
92 Points
Aromas of blackberry, dried fig, black cherry, blackberry coulis, toasted vanilla, and a hint of cigar box. The palate offers rich and velvety tannins, dark chocolate-covered cherries, black plum, mixed berry pie and toasted walnut. Long and expressive with loads of flavor.
94 Points
Aromas of cocoa mingle with notes of cassis, black cherry, blackberry coulis, graphite, toasted vanilla, and a hint of cedar. The palate is harmonious as the richness of barrel spice melds seamlessly with juicy plum, blackberry and licorice flavors. An incredibly polished texture, even at a young age. Long and expressive with loads of flavor.
Luxurious & Delicious...
Aromas of rich cherry, black currant, dark plums, with hints of lightly toasted vanilla, mint and crushed slate. The concentrated flavors further integrate with blackberries, tobacco, anise and earthiness with a balanced oak profile, layered palette, leaving you with its delightful finish.
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