Single Vineyard Chardonnay, Carneros The Bay 2018
In the glass, a pale straw color is followed by beautiful notes of lemon zest on the nose, developing into complex aromatics of rosemary, jasmine flower, almonds and ginger. On the palate, the wine is delicious and gentle at first; round and soft, evolving into a fresh, yet tense mid palate and ending with a creamy and flinty mouthfeel.
94 POINTS JEB DUNNUCK
94 POINTS WINE ENTHUSIAST
Single Vineyard Chardonnay, Carneros The Bay 2018
In the glass, a pale straw color is followed by beautiful notes of lemon zest on the nose, developing into complex aromatics of rosemary, jasmine flower, almonds and ginger. On the palate, the wine is delicious and gentle at first; round and soft, evolving into a fresh, yet tense mid palate and ending with a creamy and flinty mouthfeel.
94 POINTS JEB DUNNUCK
94 POINTS WINE ENTHUSIAST
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In Stock
Attributes
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Collections
Wine
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Product Weight (Lbs)
3
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Style
White
Description
In the glass, a pale straw color is followed by beautiful notes of lemon zest on the nose, developing into complex aromatics of rosemary, jasmine flower, almonds and ginger. On the palate, the wine is delicious and gentle at first; round and soft, evolving into a fresh, yet tense mid palate and ending with a creamy and flinty mouthfeel.
94 POINTS JEB DUNNUCK
94 POINTS WINE ENTHUSIAST
Details
VINEYARD
Since purchasing our Carneros vineyard some 30 years ago, we have performed various experimental practices—at one point reorienting the vineyard 90° by twisting the existing vines and then filling the gaps between them with younger vines to increase planting density. The vineyard features multiple Dijon clones and various rootstocks, and the vines are between 15 and 30 years old on average. The inherent vine age and complexity produce great wine, which has always served as the backbone of our Unfiltered Chardonnay. We decided to showcase the vineyard by releasing a single vineyard bottling in 2014, and have continued the tradition for every vintage since.
VINTAGE CONDITIONS
The 2018 vintage is one to remember. The beginning of the year, particularly February, saw abundant rainfall which moistened the soil and prompted a great start to the vegetative cycle. During spring, the presence of bright daily sunlight without high temperature peaks supported great canopy development. Flowering and fruit set were excellent, though it occurred slightly later than usual due to the mild temperatures. Summer finished the growing season on a high note, boasting plenty of sunlight and mild temperatures from July through October. Phenolic and aromatic ripeness was steady and excellent while sugar accumulation was moderate. The seasonal conditions allowed us to push ripeness longer without exceeding in sugar content, factors that make the wines from this vintage refined, complex and fresh. We started picking Chardonnay September 10th and finished with Cabernet Sauvignon on November 1st.
VINIFICATION
A classic style expression of Newton Chardonnays, the fruit is hand-harvested at night at optimal maturity, and whole-bunch pressed. The must is then transferred to french oak barrels,; 25% new, where it undergoes natural fermentation. Fifty percent of this wine goes through a secondary malolactic fermentation while the rest retains the natural malic acid, preserving the Chardonnay’s distinct freshness and brightness. Regular barrel stirring prevents oxidation and builds aromatic and textural complexity.