93 Points, James Suckling
A true representation of cool climate, high-elevation Chardonnay, offering ripe fruit, incredible concentration, framed by intense acidity and minerality.
VINEYARDS
Bald Mountain Vineyard, Cooper-Garrod Vineyard are both sitting at roughly 1000 ft elevation on opposite sides of the mountain, each vineyard was planted over 30 years ago and experiences impeccable sun exposure with tremendous diurnal shifts in temperature.
VINTAGE
Starting with rain during bloom, 2019 transitioned into a steady, slow to warm spring. Temperate throughout the summer, offering only a couple intermittent heat spikes. Average yields and incredible quality with harvest beginning in early August.
WINEMAKING
Each lot picked individually at peak ripeness. Gently whole cluster pressed, cold-settled for two days, then racked to 35% new French oak barrels. Native yeast fermentation and 100% malolactic fermentation, lees stirred bi-weekly during it’s 12 months of aging.
Vintage: 2019
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Vineyard: Bald Mountain Vineyard, Cooper-Garrod Vineyard
Appellation: Santa Cruz Mountains
Aging: Lees stirred bi-weekly for 12 months on 35% new French oak
Brix: 22.6
pH: 3.43
TA: 6.0 g/100ml
Release Date: November 2020
Alcohol: 13.4%
91 Points, Wine Spectator
This is a big wine with luxurious texture. Deep red-purple with aromas of black currents, blackberry, plum, chocolate, earthy forest floor, licorice, graphite, and subtle floral notes of violet, spice and cracked pepper. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry fruit with notes of earth, firm acid and silky tannins. Finishes big with blackberry fruit and peppery spice.
90 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Loaded with old-vine character in every sip. Combining 42% Carignane, 38% Mourvèdre and 20% Zinfandel, from vines over 130 years in age. Dark red in color with black cherry, cassis, pomegranate, plum, cocoa, and highlights of cranberry, black pepper, tar and earth. Velvety mouthfeel, great structure with black cherry, pomegranate, chocolate, tar and peppery spice. Satisfies the palate with a long spicy fruit driven finish.
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