Wine Description & Statistics
2010 Chardonnay
Winemaker Bruce McGuire was able to travel throughout western Santa Barbara County choosing several vineyards (including Scheid Vineyard up in Monterey County) for this multi-vineyard blend.
These vineyards meet Bruce's standards for viticultural practices and growing conditions suitable to make this full-bodied yet eminently approachable Chardonnay.
All the grapes for this wine were pressed as whole clusters and 30% of the wine fermented in stainless steel without undergoing malolactic fermentation. These two steps lend brightness to the fruit intensity that then integrates with the mouth pleasing weight and supple flavors enhanced by barrel fermentation.
Our Santa Barbara County Chardonnay is a good all around choice to satisfy a wide variety of foods. With enough structure to age for five to six years, we think this wine is most enjoyable three years after the vintage year.
This is truly a Santa Barbara County blend from warmer Santa Ynez Valley to the cooler Santa Rita Hills.
Suggested retail: 15.00
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HARVEST
Dates: Sept. 26-Oct. 28
to Oct. 17, 2009
Sugar: 23.4-24.5 Brix
VINEYARDS
Hilltop Ranch 38%
Sierra Madre 25%
Scheid 15%
Thompson 15%
Lafond 7%
WINE
Barrels: 70% barrel
fermented in a mix of French
and Hungarian puncheons
Remainder fermented
in Stainless Steel
45% Malolactic fermentation
Total Acid: .76
pH: 3.42
Alcohol: 13.8%
Production: 18,250 cases