2023 Bien Nacido Chardonnay

We pick Chardonnay to the old adage “if the grapes taste good, you’re too late”. The grapes therefore are picked to optimize their acid profile. They are whole-cluster pressed to ensure clean juice, settled overnight, and then barreled down for fermentation (about ⅓ new French Oak). Fermentation begins spontaneously and temperatures are checked daily.  We like to ferment Chardonnay slightly warmer than other whites in order to accentuate the chalky texture. The barrels are then topped and undergo 100% malolactic fermentation. The wine ages for 14 months on the lees and is only racked once prior to bottling. Nothing fancy, just great grapes and honest winemaking.