2018 Knudsen Vineyards Chardonnay

WINEMAKING PROCESS

ROCO Chardonnay is handpicked and then chilled overnight at 38˚ F in a large storage room. The chilled bunches are then pressed and the juice is sent to a tank. After settling in tank, the juice is inoculated and racked to neutral oak where is completes fermentation. After primary fermentation is complete, the young wine goes through malolactic fermentation in order to soften the acidity and to add further complexity. Next, the wines are racked to a mix of new and neutral French oak. There they rest for at least five months before bottling.

WINEMAKER TASTING NOTES

"Leaping out of the glass with ripe apple and pear fruit at first, followed by subtler nuances that include hints of apricot stone, orange blossom citrus, and “spice” of roasted hazelnut and cashew in the nose. And still an essence of fresh Pacific Ocean oyster shell minerality persists.

Rich and round texture layered with pear compote fruit shot with tangelo, “cuties”, and citrus blossom drive the palate. A natural spice component of white tea, dried parsley leading to a long honey-pear follow you to the finish. This is a stand-alone chardonnay, so drinkable with or without food."