2020 La Cruz Chardonnay
In Stock
Wine Details
Vintage
2020
Varietal
Chardonnay
Appellation
Petaluma Gap
Harvest Date
September 10, 2020
Total Acidity
5.75 g/L
pH
3.5
Alcohol %
14.18
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
The 2020 La Cruz Chardonnay is bright and has a beautiful golden
color. The wine shows aromas of tropical and stone fruit with a hint
of vanillin oak. The wine is expressive in the mouth and exhibits
green apple, pear, wet stone, white flowers, caramel, butter toast
texture with a long, mouthwatering finish of acidity.
Vineyard Notes
The 2020 vintage was vastly characterized by a series of
environmental challenges, putting vineyard crews and winemakers
to the test. The season started well, growing conditions were
nearly ideal. Spring frost was an issue for some of our neighboring
AVA’s, but our windy site was spared any frost. An August heat
spell accelerated ripening, resulting in an early start to harvest and
yielding a small crop. However, when the fire broke in Bodega bay
on Sunday, August 24th the same wind-protected our site from frost
brought days and days of smoke. Immediate sampling, analysis,
and micro-fermentations allowed us to determine how to proceed.
The ancient sea-bed of the San Pablo Bay is mineral rich, clay
soils that define La Cruz Vineyard. Thirty-four acres are planted
to chardonnay, in distinct blocks where clone 4, Wente and Dijon
clones are planted. Typical to this vineyard is a pronounced bright
acidity and signature spice notes.
Winemaker Notes
Our chardonnay was harvested in the cold night and came in at
23.3 Brix. The fruit was pressed using a gentle cycle, the juice
settled for 12 hours prior racking in barrels where they went through
primary and second fermentation. Our 2018 La Cruz Chardonnay
is filtered but not fined. We used Nomacorc 100 closure, with a
specific low oxygen ingress rate, eliminating any oxidation. It is a
100% plant-based closure with a carbon neutral footprint, aligning
with our mission.