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2021 The Barrel Climber Chardonnay

2021 The Barrel Climber

Chardonnay

SONOMA COASTsonoma county


SPECIAL: $49.00
RETAIL: $60.00


TASTING NOTES

Inspired by a new source from an especially chilly, fog-kissed spot on the western edge of the True Sonoma Coast (Zephyr Vineyard), this is Chardonnay that emphasizes a vitality and energy that only cool climate grape growing can provide.

Far western Sonoma Coast is a truly challenging region to grow grapes, necessitating both patience and nerves of steel. Every vintage is a roll of the dice whether the fruit will fully mature on the vine by the end of Fall before the rains begin. Fortune smiled on Zephyr in 2021 and we received a scant few tons of their stunning, perfectly ripened Chardonnay. And while we blended just a bit into the 1 Km West cuvée we couldn’t resist featuring the rest in this Barrel Climber offering.

Fermented and raised in older French oak barrels and puncheon to enhance texture while avoiding overt woody flavors, we stirred the lees throughout the 18 months it rested in the cellar.

What emerged shows great purity and punchiness from the natural acidity and complexity this amazing vineyard provides. You won’t find stong oak flavors or butter here. Instead, this wine delights with an electric, natural energy subtly shaped by the neutral barrels.

Racy lime, lemon, zest, and lemon curd abound with baked apple and nuttiness. It’s the type of wine that avoids palate fatigue and keeps you coming back for more after each sip. Delicious now, but truly built for the cellar, we beg you to hang on to at least a few bottles to experience what a beautiful future this wine has ahead of it as it grows and blossoms with age.

DRINKING WINDOWS

Prime drinking: Late 2023 to 2030

Graceful ageability: 2031+

VINEYARDS

96% Zephyr | 3% Green Acres | 1% Stiling

CLONES

96% Clone 5 | 3% Hyde | 1% Rued

STATS

pH: 3.29  |  TA: 7.8 | Alcohol: 14.1% 

Bottling: February 10, 2023 | Release: Fall 2023
Cases Produced: 43

 

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