Artesa 2020 Chardonnay, Carneros
Item Number: 51 20 185 20
Artesa 2020 Chardonnay, Carneros
High-quality Chardonnay from the Los Carneros AVA!
Quick Taste
- Double 91 Points!
- "Ample honeydew melon, baked apple, vanilla and butter flavors"
About Artesa 2020 Chardonnay, Carneros
2020 was an interesting grape-growing year. Despite the lack of rain, and the start of a drought year, temperatures were mild for two thirds of the growing season, coupled with a lighter frost year (compared to recent history) and overall ideal temperatures that stretched into early summer.
The Los Carneros AVA is known for ideal conditions to grow high quality Chardonnay grapes, granting us fruit that is incredibly balanced and with great acidity. The cool climate of this region is one of the world’s premier areas to grow Chardonnay grapes. Temperatures are moderated by the adjoining San Pablo Bay, cool afternoon breezes, and persistent morning fog. As hot air rises above the inland valleys, it is draws cool air from the Pacific Ocean. The sun burns off this fog late in the morning, leading the temperature to increase gradually throughout the day. This climate yields grapes that have both enough cool hang time and sunshine to develop great natural acidity and deep fruit flavor. All the perfect ingredients to grow Chardonnay grapes that have the perfect dichotomy of ripeness and bright acidity.
The grapes were hand-harvested at night and brought to the winery immediately afterwards, where they were whole cluster pressed, by using a custom “champagne” cycle that gently pushes the must, rendering clean juice but hardly any solids or unwanted phenolic compounds. 30% of the juice was placed in neutral French oak barrels and 70% in stainless steel tanks, where they underwent alcoholic fermentation, both with selected and native yeasts. After primary fermentation, about 40% of the lots went through malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged on its lees for 9 months, with monthly bâtonnage (lees stirring), to add complexity and enhance mouthfeel.
Wine Enthusiast gave this wine 91 points saying ‘Almost sweet and certainly ripe tasting, this warm, broad and excellent-value wine offers ample honeydew melon, baked apple, vanilla and butter flavors that weave elegantly through mild acidity and a medium body.’
James Suckling also rated it 91 Points saying ‘Notes of sliced apples, ripe nectarines and pineapple with hints of caramel and glazed almonds. Medium- to full-bodied with attractive, clean acidity and a textured, polished mouthfeel. Bright and juicy with mineral undertones to close. Drink now.’
Wine Details
- Alcohol % 14.0%
- Bottle Size 750 ml
- Wine Type White
- Country United States
- Region California
- Appellation Carneros
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