2022 Bismark Chardonnay 750ml
GOLD MEDAL - Sonoma County Harvest Fair 2024
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 2022: October 2021 brought an atmospheric river event that recharged the soil profile after several years of drought. This led to an even bud break – later than 2021 - strong early growth, and a moderate crop. Summer of 2022 was ideal, consistently warm with no heat events until after the Chardonnay was harvested. We harvested the grapes on August 16, 2022 at an average 24.8 o Brix, TA 0.84 g/100 mL and pH of 3.47.
Winemaking: We pressed the Chardonnay as whole clusters, to collect limpid juice without bitterness. It was barrel fermented in new to one-year-old barrels. The wine was sur lie aged for 17 months (with one racking in 2023 to assess lees) before blending in January 2024 and bottling in February 2024.
Tasting Notes: By nose our 2022 Bismark Chardonnay offers Anjou Pear, freshly buttered toast and brioche. On the palate it unfolds with layors of lemon, Golden Delicious Apple, doses of cream, and butterscotch.
Variety
94% Chardonnay, 5% Riesling 1% Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard Location
Bismark Mountain block 14. Wente clones on 110R
Age of Vines
Planted 1993, grafted 2009
Alcohol 14.8%
pH 3.65
Titratable Acidity (TA)
0.65 g/100 mL
Residual Sugar
0.01%
Harvest Date
August 16, 2022
Brix at Harvest 24.8o
Ferment. Temp.
Cellar Temp ~58 o F
Malolactic fermentation 28%
Length/Type of Aging
100% barrel fermented, 17 months on lees in 13% new French oak barrels coopered by Billon, and 13% four-month-old oak barrels – Trust Noisette
Bottling Date
February 12, 2024
Number of Cases 176
Vegan