The Clones
The famous Upper Barn clone, one of California’s most sought-after Chardonnay selections, comprises 85% of the grapes that went into the 2020 Estate Chardonnay blend. The balance is from the Wente/FPS 72 clone. From the Upper Barn clone, this wine derives flavors of Asian pear, spice, and a natural nuttiness, while the small clusters and berries of the Wente clone contribute concentrated tropical flavors.
The Vintage
2020
After a wet spring that energized the vines, summer brought consistently warm weather to Sonoma County. Our vineyard set an average size crop, and thanks to a full canopy, we had ideal shade on the fruit. As a result, our vines produced pristine grapes, with excellent natural acidity, lovely balance, and pure varietal flavors.
Winemaking
For complexity and texture, we did a traditional pigeage on roughly one third of the fruit, leaving it in bins for three hours of skin contact before pressing. To accentuate the signature fruit and natural nuttiness of our Estate grapes, we also fermented this wine with 100% indigenous yeast. Aging occurred in French oak barrels and French oak casks with 5% new oak, as well as stainless steel tanks. The wine was fermented sur lie for 9 months and underwent 78% indigenous malolactic fermentation.
