“The 2014 Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast) offers good up front intensity in a mid-weight style that will drink well with minimal cellaring. Lemon confit, orchard fruit, chamomile and lightly oaked notes are laced into the silky finish. This is a very pretty, bright Sonoma Coast Chardonnay.”  90 pts, Antonio Galloni, vinous, March 2017

2014 was another classic vintage. A mild winter and spring caused an early bud break followed by consistent temperatures throughout the summer, promoting even ripening. We had ample hang time which in turn yielded intense varietal character and a rich texture.

We press the whole clusters for delicacy. Native-yeast and full native malolactic fermentation take place in barrel, with sur lies bâtonnage. After aging 12 months in 15% new French oak barrels (François Frères and Demptos), this Chardonnay is fined for clarity and texture in tank during the following harvest. It was then bottled without filtration in February, 2016.

Coming from these two special vineyard sites (69% Martinelli Charles Ranch Vineyard; 31% Platt Vineyard), our Sonoma Coast Chardonnays show great depth of flavor, length of finish, aromatic complexity, and a fine balance between richness and delicacy.  These two vineyards have typically cool climates, low vigor soil, and a vine selection that generate small berries, small clusters and inherently low yields.