After a rainy Spring, the summer months were sunny and slightly cooler than normal. We began picking two weeks later than average, but were blessed with warm, beautiful weather in the critical month of October. This permitted perfect ripening, while retaining crisp acidity and bright fruit flavors.
Our 2006 Monterey Chardonnay is assembled primarily from specially selected vineyards in the Arroyo Seco and Santa Lucia Highlands appellations of the Salinas Valley. These two areas contributes certain aroma and flavor profiles that when blended, produce an extraordinary wine. Arroyo Seco with its gravelly soils is known for its bright apple and pear flavors with perceptible mineral notes and rich texture. The Santa Lucia Highlands are cooler with well-drained soils producing wines with intense citrus and tropical fruit characters and a crisp, focused structure.
The grapes are hand picked and very gently pressed in order to retain their best quality flavors. We barrel ferment 90% of our Chardonnay in the finest French oak barrels, 33% of which are new, and allow 80% to undergo a malo-lactic fermentation for richness and complexity. In addition, we hand stir every barrel once a week to enhance texture and build extra structure. The remaining 10% is fermented in stainless steel tanks to add a note of crisp fruit flavors to the overall blend.
The resulting wine is a perfect expression of Monterey Chardonnay. Aromas are expressive of ripe tropical fruits with notes of crème brulee. The palette is rich with flavors of apple, pear and exotic fruits which linger on the long, creamy finish.
Vineyards:
Arroyo Seco: Griva Vineyard, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Ventana, Mission Ranch.
Santa Lucia Highlands: Sleepy Hollow, Rosella’s Vineyard, Paraiso.
Monterey: Olson Ranch.
Harvest Dates:October 11th – November 8th
Cooperage: 100% French Oak.
Coopers: Dargaud & Jaegle, Sirugue, François Frères and Cadus.
Retail price: $20.00