2019 Bismark Chardonnay 750ml
Please note: This Chardonnay was not conventionally cold and heat stabilized. It has been passively stabilized by natural colloidal enrichment as a result of long-term lees ageing. Although filtered once prior to bottling, it was not sterile filtered. Please store to avoid extremes of heat or cold. This will protect the flavor and appearance of this fragile, living wine.
Vineyard: Our Bismark Mountain vineyard is high in the Moon Mountain District, above the city of Sonoma and the San Pablo Bay. Here, on the southwestern flanks of the Mayacamas Mountains amid 67 acres of red grapes, we also grow 1000 vines of Chardonnay and 100 vines of Riesling. The Chardonnay was grafted onto a mixed block of Sangiovese and Syrah in 2009 on thin soils composed of volcanic Rhyolitic tuff and lava.
Vintage 2019: Winter was mild and very wet, providing much needed ground water recharge at Bismark. September heat pushed ripening and we decided to pull in the Chardonnay to keep it fresh. Four tons of Bismark Chardonnay were harvested September 19, 2019 at 23.8o Brix, TA 0.77, and pH 3.64.
Winemaking: We pressed the Chardonnay as whole clusters, to collect limpid juice without bitterness. We did not use the high press juice in this wine. We followed a sequential fermentation protocol, using two non-Sacch genera for 10 days before inoculating with Saccharomyces. It was barrel fermented in 50% new oak from Trust, Remond, Marcel Cadet and Fouailly. After seven months we transferred the wine into 100% neutral cooperage for an additional 7 months before bottling.
Tasting Notes: Pale copper-gold, this chardonnay exudes clues to it provenance. Sonoma sage, Manzanita flower, and wet stone are complimented by lemon, ghee, and white pepper notes. A tour de force of flavors ensue, poached pear, lemongrass, butterscotch, and brine. Though sapid and viscous, it also has a taut acidity that unfurls deliciously on the palate. (Tasted 1-22-21)
Variety
100% Chardonnay
Vineyard Location
Bismark Mountain block 14. Wente clones on 110R
Age of Vines
Planted 1993, grafted 2009
Alcohol 13.5%
pH
3.70
Titratable Acidity (TA)
0.64 g/100 mL
Residual Sugar
0.04%
Harvest Date
September 19, 2019
Brix at Harvest 23.8o
Ferment. Temp.
Cellar Temp ~58 o F
Malolactic fermentation
100%
Length/Type of Aging
14 months total. 7 months 50% new, 7 months neutral
Oak Types
Trust Noisette, Remond Bertrange, Marcel Cadet, and Fouailly
Bottling Date: January 15, 2021
Number of Cases: 233
Vegan