2020 Chardonnay, Green Acres Vineyard
Site and winemaking come together in the bright varietal flavors and mouth filling richness that has become the signature of our Sangiacomo Green Acres Chardonnay. Vibrant mango, pineapple, golden apple and alpine strawberry notes are accented by hazelnut, nutmeg, almond cream and subtle wet slate. The palate offers high toned fruit and lush texture ending in a long creamy finish.
Vineyard: From the famed Sangiacomo Vineyard in Carneros, and one of the most sought-after sections, “Green Acres Hill” is distinguished by its coveted blend of site and clone. Perched on a knoll overlooking Fowler Creek and planted to the venerable ‘Old Wente’ clone, the sustainably farmed vines benefit from well-drained, alluvial-gravelly soils and the region’s signature afternoon winds, all of which combine to extend the growing season, reduce the yields and concentrate the fruit flavors. Given our long-standing relationship with both the family and vineyard, we have select rows reserved for Saxon Brown that are farmed to our specifications, providing us each year with extremely low yields of bright concentrated chardonnay with good natural acidity.
Winemaking: In keeping with our site-specific focus, we employ similar winemaking techniques for each of our Chardonnays so that the individual character of the vineyard is what truly distinguishes each bottling. The grapes for our 2020 Green Acres Hill Chardonnay were harvested in the early morning and transported immediately to the winery where they were whole-fruit pressed. After two days of cold settling, the juice was racked to small French Burgundy barrels, inoculated with a low rate of Burgundian yeast, and cold barrel fermented at 58-65°F for 100 days. The wine was aged sur lies for an additional 18 months in 50% French oak, undergoing true secondary malolactic fermentation in the spring. The wine was bottle unfiltered and unfined.