About This Wine

On the nose: explosion of brioche, pears, peaches, beeswax with touches of granite, cedar, honeydew, soap

On the palate: fresh citrus entrance evolving on orange peel, Meyer lemon with hints of crème brulée lingering on bubblegum, pineapple, tangerine

Wine Profile

Blend: 100% Chardonnay

Fermentation: 100% barrel fermented, sur lies

Aging:  18 months, 100% French oak (60% new) with weekly bâtonnage for initial 12 months plus 3 months in stainless steel (to preserve freshness)

Vintage Notes

2014 was the earliest vintage in the past 15 years. This was not only due to heat, but also because of the drought. We started picking white varietals in mid-August, which allowed us to protect the acidity and fragrance of these wines extremely well. Because most white varietals ripened much earlier in the season, they were able to mature without burning the acidity. Therefore, we saw acid levels comparable to 2011. This seems counterintuitive. However, because the grapes ripened so early, we were able to shift the entire process for the whites into a colder growing season—thus permitting an amazing balance.