2019 Cultura Chardonnay
Wine Specs
Vintage
2019
Varietal
Chardonnay
Appellation
Alexander Valley
Harvest Date
September 22, 2019
Acid
0.47 g/mL
pH
3.62
Aging
31% new Leroi French oak, 69% Neutral French Oak
Bottling Date
August 18, 2020
Alcohol %
14.4
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
The nose is fragrant with lemon zest, nectarine, pear and a hint of fennel. In the mouth the wine is creamy, medium bodied with bright acidity to support ripe fruit flavors of Golden Delicious apples, candied lemon peel and toasted brioche. The lingering finish echoes the flavors, ending with bright citrus, brioche and toasted hazelnut notes.
Vineyard Notes
The 2019 harvest in Alexander Valley was one of the best for our white grapes. A cool spring with late bud break and two unexpected inches of rain in May, coupled with average temperatures allowed us to harvest perfect fruit in September. We opted to leave it on the vine until we had the richness of flavors we were seeking. Our Chardonnay was 100% barrel fermented in 31% new and 69% neutral French oak barrels to capture a more fruit driven wine style. 31% underwent malolactic fermentation, and select yeast strains were chosen to enhance fruit nuances and esters. The Robert Young Chardonnay clone offers a melange of fruit expressions due to the guava and yellow apple notes. The blend includes 20% estate Semillon to add notes of mission fig and cantaloupe and a softer acidity.
Blend
80% Chardonnay, 20% Semillon
