2019 Alder Springs Vineyard Chardonnay
This 2019 offering is layered and complex with fresh peach, green apple and pear. Dried Star Jasmine flowers intertwine with Meyer lemon citrus and ginger notes, backed by clove and toffee almond. Rich, and very complex while still maintaining a delicate and energetic flow on the palate, there is poise and freshness to the long finish. This is a very fine Alder Springs Chardonnay that will reward the patient collector.
2019 has proven to be an excellent year. The modestly wet winter led to an unusual spring with six inches of rain falling in late May. The extra water caused particularly strong vine canopy growth necessitating extra leaf pulling to improve air flow and suppress diseases. No significant problems persisted as the vines moved into a delightful summer, with nicely warm days tempered by cool afternoon winds from the Pacific. Crop levels were average, with most sites needing very little thinning to achieve optimum balance. Harvest weather was particularly pleasant, with the fruit ripening evenly, and critically, not too quickly. The 2019 wines are showing rich, supple structures with fine grained, plush tannins supported by juicy, fresh fruit flavors and clearly defined vineyard characters.
In 2019, we selected fruit exclusively from two small blocks at the very top of Alder Springs Vineyard: Emerald Pool and East Face. At 2,600 feet in elevation, these impeccably farmed blocks on the flanks of Cahto Peak in Northern Mendocino represent some of the highest elevation Chardonnay plantings in the state. While this elevation poses challenges, when conditions align—as they did in 2018—Alder Springs can produce a rare, terroir-inspired wine unlike any other. This bottling is 100% Chardonnay from a blend of Dijon clones 76, 809 and 124, as well as California heirloom selections, Wente and Robert Young—all grown under the watchful eye of vineyard owner Stuart Bewley, one of the finest viticulturists in California.
100% Whole-cluster pressed
100% Burgundian French oak barrels (35% new; 65% 1-2-year old)
Bottled without filtration to preserve the wine’s aromas and flavors and enhance aging potential
- Type:
- White
- Varietal:
- Chardonnay
- Region:
- California
- Appellation:
- Mendocino
- Vintage:
- 2019
- Blend:
- 100% Chardonnay fruit
- Aging:
- Sur lie aged with weekly stirring
- Alcohol:
- 14.5%
- Fermentation:
- 100% indigenous yeast fermentations; 100% malo-lactic fermentation in barrel