Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay 2021
Trade Tools
America / Sta. Rita Hills
The Chardonnay grapes are sourced from vines planted on rolling hills near the cooling Pacific Ocean. After harvest, the grapes are gently whole-cluster pressed and transferred to tanks for cold settling. The juice is then inoculated with yeast and racked to French oak barrels, where it undergoes fermentation, with stirring of the lees for added texture and complexity. Partial malolactic fermentation is allowed. All lots are kept separate throughout vinification and aging to ensure greater character, distinctiveness and quality. The wine is aged in oak barrels before bottling.
92 Points
Wine Enthusiast
2021 vintage
Harvest Note
The 2021 was notably a cooler growing season with a late start to harvest. Early bud break and mild spring weather continued into a cool summer. The quality of the grapes were good and acid levels remained balanced due to the moderate weather. Tremendous team effort and coordination truly made this season possible. Winemaker's first pick was September 8th and completed on October 23rd.
Tasting Note
This light, straw-hued wine has aromas of citrus, jasmine and lightly toasted hazelnut. The bright, clean minerality on the palate gives way to notes of Meyer lemon preserves, lime zest and white nectarine with a subtle finish of toasted graham.
Technical Data
GRAPES: 100% Chardonnay
PH: 3.55
ACIDITY: 5.4 g/l
ABV: 14.30%
AGING: 10 months in French oak, 30% new
Unique Selling Points
- A rich Chardonnay with 17 months of oak aging and the buttery qualities associated with the style.
“The combination of climate and soil diversity found in the Sta. Rita Hills offer some of the best grape growing conditions I’ve ever seen.”
Dave Frazier, Winemaker
About the Grape
Chardonnay
Though it has a distinctive profile, Chardonnay reflects other factors such as soil composition and vinification technique. Chardonnay is a reliable, hardy and prolific vine whose only real vulnerabilities are frost and uneven development of fruit.
