La Crema 2017 Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast

Since 1979, La Crema, one of the Jackson Family Estates, has crafted the traditional wine varietals of Burgundy in the cool vineyards of the Sonoma Coast. Like Burgundy in France, the vineyards of the Sonoma Coast offer an unusually long, cool and steady growing season. Lingering fog and wind from the nearby Pacific Ocean moderate temperatures throughout the season and slow the ripening process. With an extended "hang" time on the vines, the results at harvest are small berries with firm acidity and highly concentrated varietal aromas and flavors.

For this 2017 fruit was sourced from a variety of prime estate vineyards including Saralee's, Laughlin, Fulton, Shiloh, Carneros Hills West and Durell. An array of different clones were selected to achieve rich layers and complexity. The fruit was carefully sorted before pressing; hand-picked lots were immediately whole cluster pressed. After all the fruit was pressed and settled overnight, the juice was racked then barrel fermented in French oak while. Full malolactic fermentation is done for a round rich character. The lees were stirred 1-2 times per month andthe wine aged for 8 months.