Tognetti Family Winery Aloise Francisco Chardonnay 2014
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Aloise Francisco Vineyard is owned and operated by Jack Tognetti. The vineyard is located in the Los Carneros region of Napa Valley which is known for producing exceptional Chardonnay grapes. The combination of cool breezy weather and loamy nutrient rich soil allow the grapes to develop exceptional flavors.
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Longtime growers, most notably to Schramsberg, which still gets the majority of the grapes, the Tognettis have just begun to make wine of their own, and this one is stellar. Classic barrel tones give it depth and breadth, but never dominate, allowing juicy pear and spicy lemon acidity to do all the talking.
It all starts with the land. The rich soils and ideal climate make Napa the perfect place to grow grapes. Taking advantage of the various microclimates and terrain throughout the Napa Valley, they choose the perfect growing sites are chosen for each grape variety. This allows getting the best tasting fruit every time. Once the fruit has reached the peak of ripeness, it's picked and immediately crushed. The grapes are delicately pressed to ensure only the finest juice with the best taste is extracted. From there, the winemaker carefully crafts the wine in a minimalist style to ensure the character of the fruit truly shines.
Every bottle of wine is unique. It tells the story of the land and the different conditions the grapes were exposed to throughout the year. The weather, the soils, and the air quality all play a role in developing the unique characteristics of each vintage. Producing small lot wines allows Tognetti Family Winery to focus on these characteristics and ensure every bottle reaches its full potential.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
Known for elegant wines that combine power and finesse, Carneros is set in the rolling hills that straddle the southernmost parts of both Sonoma and Napa counties. The cooling winds from the abutting San Pablo Bay, combined with lots of midday California sunshine, create an ideal environment for producing wines with a perfect balance of crisp acidity and well-ripened fruit.
This cooler pocket of California lends itself to growing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. Carneros is an important source of sparkling wines made in the style of Champagne as well.