2018 Lingua Franca Chardonnay Sisters Vineyard

Picked late September after a very dry growing season. More than half the fruit was grown on the Van Duzer Corridor on calcareous soils, and the rest on Eola Springs Vineyard. Grapes were whole-cluster pressed, settled in tank for an average of 24 hours, then barrel-fermented with indigenous yeast and natural acidity in a combination of 18% new (600-litre puncheons) and 82% neutral French oak barriques from diverse coopers. Full malolactic conversion was completed in each vessel, and after the wine was blended it was put into a stainless-steel tank with its lees for six months prior to bottling. Just 290 cases produced. Attractive blend of honey ripeness and crisp green-apple acidity. Hits the spot! Really rather beautiful confidence and transparency. Serious stuff with a real undertow. (JR)