2019 Marsh Estate Chardonnay

About the Marsh Estate Chardonnay

Since 2014, ROCO has produced Chardonnays from this low elevation jewel estate, located in the eastern portion of the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. Tucked just west of the Dundee Hills, Marsh Estate Vineyard starts at a 250ft elevation and ascends steeply to a peak elevation of 320ft at the end of an exposed ridge line. This exposure ensures maximum sunlight, and combined with soil derived from marine sandstone, gives the wine a lovely depth and finesse with a lively finish.

WINE MAKING 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 the primary fermentation, the young wine goes through a second malolactic fermentation in order to soften the acidity and to add further complexity. The wines are then racked to a mix of new and neutral French oak. There they rest for at least five months before bottling.

WINEMAKER’S TASTING NOTES

"Look for aromas of honey, phlox/honeysuckle floral, and hint of mandarin orange. Smells like Springtime!

The flavor is fresh, bright, clean, and leaves the taster with a smile. Honeysuckle blossom, mandarin, vanilla are preludes to pear sauce and quince fruit flavors. Beautiful balance of acidity and ripe fruit leads to a “sweet” long finish."

93 points - Wine Enthusiast

90 points - Wine Spectator