This is a SUPERB Chardonnay with a great vineyard and winemaking pedigree... not surprising we only got a small quantity. Happy days indeed!
Wine Spectator Magazine
Besides the best price you will ever see of course, consulting winemaker Kent Humphrey has been written up as "Wine Spectator's Top 30 Producers" for his own label (getting crazy accolades vintage after vintage)! Fruit from a great vineyard + amazing winemaker = downright recipe for success.
Vineyard
Grapes were picked from Sangiacomo Vineyard, well known for growing ultra-premium Chardonnay throughout Sonoma County. With the majority in the nearby Petaluma Gap and the Sonoma Coast region, select wineries source fruit from this premium grower and make exceptional wines.
Winemaking
Grapes were picked in the cool early morning hours, and immediately to press the delicate fruit and chilled to preserve freshness. 100% barrel fermented for 9 months in French oak barrels, of which 25% was new to add complexity & richness. Extended malolactic fermentation fine-tuned the body and perfected the mouth feel.
Stats
Appellation: Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County
Vineyard: Sangiacomo Vineyard
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Aging: 9 Months in 100% French Oak, 25% New
pH: 3.38 TA: 7.2 g/L
Alcohol: 14.2%
90 Points
Ruby-plum core with a light purple rim in the glass. The palate opens with cranberry, cherry fruit and wood spice dominate. Cherry and plum notes pump through with a medium-bodied texture. Smooth tannins and soft finish showcase its layered complexity.
92 Points
Aromas of red raspberry, jammed dark fruit, cinnamon spice and clove. Hints of sliced ripe plum, black tea and lavender oil adds to its complexity. Flavors of blueberry, elderberry, and cranberry are enhanced with oak spice and baking notes from the barrels. These flavors marry with soft tannins for a long and mouthwatering finish.
92 Points
Juicy blackberries and black cherries accented by mint and chocolate. Full-bodied, deeply colored, with a hint of white pepper, dried herbs and toasted bread. Delivers a substantial mid-palate of dark fruits, black tea, baked cherry, fruit preserves and licorice. Sophisticated and sumptuous. A great example of the varietal, brooding with depth and complexity. Notes of toast and oak, with integrated tannins and textural polish on the finish.
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