2019 Chardonnay, Monterey

89 PTS, Wine Enthusiast
This wine explodes with generous tropical flavors from mango to passionfruit and custard flavors. The acidity shines through the creamy texture and demonstrates the optimal acidity that cool climate Monterey grapes possess. The finish is long with silky vanillin, clove, guava and papaya and elegance of lingering acidity.

This barrel fermented, full malo-lactic Chardonnay has a shiny golden tone and expresses beautiful lemon verbena and tangerine zest top notes followed by rich Tahitian vanilla and creamy custard notes.

On the palate the wine explodes with generous tropical flavors from mango to passionfruit and then wrapped up in creamy custard flavors. The acidity shines through the creamy texture and demonstrates the optimal acidity that cool climate Monterey grapes possess. The finish is long with silky vanillin, clove, guava and papaya and finishes with baked banana custard flavors. The finish is long with silky elegance and lingering acidity. 

This wine was made from grapes grown at the Arroyo Loma Vineyard in King City within Monterey by famed Central Coast grower Steve McIntyre. The vineyard is sustainable and farmed organically, but not certified. The grapes were picked cool at night, whole cluster pressed and barrel fermented on the natural lees and put through 100% malo-lactic. It was aged in barrel and stirred over 18 months.

2015
88 PTS, Tasting Panel, March 2017
“Smooth, ripe and juicy with smooth vanilla oak;
mellow and balanced with ripe pear fruit and a
mellow finish; long and creamy.”

2015
87 PTS, Wine Enthusiast, May 2017
“Dried apple and pear aromas meet with touches of oak, macadamia nut and wet cement on the nose of this bottling. Similar dried apple and pear flavors show on the palate, which is lifted by citrus pith and a touch of smoke on the finish."