2018 The Barrel Climber

Chardonnay

SONOMA COASTsonoma county

ALLOCATION LIST: $49.50
RETAIL: $55.00

Fallenleaf vineyard comes together with a newer block of Chardonnay from Flora Marie in the Russian River Valley for this cuvée. No surprise since we adore the Old Wente clonal selections planted at both vineyards. Those incredibly tiny berries gift us naturally concentrated juice that doesn’t need much new oak to produce a dramatic wine.

Toasty hazelnut and baked apple/pear greet the nose and follow through on the precise, snappy palate along with clove and white flower accents. Freshness is on point and despite the dramatic aromas, this bottling is quite tensile and structured. Add to the mix the relatively low alcohol (13.5%) and low percentage of new oak (12%) and you discover that we took a lighter touch approach to this Barrel Climber Chardonnay.

Uber pristine raw materials allowed us to leave this beauty unfiltered, so don’t be alarmed if it throws a slight haze. Contrary to many of the other 2018s, this tightly wound white needs a bit more rest to unfurl and reveal its best; we recommend letting it sleep in the cellar for at least a year before uncorking your first bottle.

DRINKING WINDOWS

Prime drinking: Late 2020 through 2025
Graceful ageability: 2026+

VINEYARDS

50% Fallenleaf,  44% Flora Marie, 6% Green Acres

CLONES

94% Old Wente, 6% Hyde

STATS

pH: 3.44 |  TA: 6.1 | Alcohol: 13.5%
Bottling: December 10, 2019 | Release: Fall 2020
Cases Produced: 56

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