Saracina Unoaked Chardonnay 2010

Vintage and Release Information

Mendocino County 2010
Released May 31, 2011
Production of 434 cases

Varietal Composition

90% Chardonnay, 10% Viognier

Technical Data

13.2% alcohol by volume
7.2 g/L titratable acidity
pH 3.69
Bottled May 27, 2011

Vineyards

The Chardonnay hails from our certified-organic, estate vineyard just a few hundred yards from the Saracina winery.  These same vines provided grapes for the original Sundial Chardonnay, which was the first unoaked, no-malolactic Chardonnay ever produced in California.  The vineyard celebrates its thirtieth birthday this year.

Harvest

The harvest of 2010 was very late, and the Chardonnay was no exception.  We picked this Chardonnay on October 21.  We thinned over a third of the crop for concentration so the nominally low yields were even lower, less than two tons per acre.  We harvested at dawn and began processing within 30 minutes of the pick.

Winemaking and Cooperage

To acknowledge the history of the site, the fruit was pressed, settled and fermented to dryness entirely in stainless steel.  Malolactic fermentation was inhibited to keep the wine fresh and bright.

Winemaker

Alex MacGregor

Assistant Winemaker

Sebastian Donoso

Winemaker's Comments

Fresh pineapple, pear and banana notes soar from the glass.  The hint of Viognier adds vibrancy and a floral note to the nose.  The palate shoes medium weight and focus, without the influence of oak to make things too ponderous.  Enjoying a glass of this wine may be the least expensive tropical vacation you could take!