Lincourt Chardonnay 2005

As is typical, the lion share of this Chardonnay is sourced from Santa Maria Valley's famous Bien Nacido Vineyard, with the balance coming from cool-climate vineyards in Sta. Rita Hills. The Bien Nacido fruit gives the wine its signature tropical fruit aromatics and its lush texture in the mouth. The Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay provides lemon curd and mandarin orange notes, and the acidity to give the wine structure. All of the different lots were whole cluster pressed, barrel fermented and aged for 11 months in 60-gallon French oak barrels. While in oak, the wine completed 100% Malolactic fermentation. Lees were stirred weekly to give the Chardonnay a richer, more opulent mouth feel, and a toasted bread-like bouquet. The crisp acidity and low pH keeps the wine interesting from first sip to last.