Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Aged 10 months in 15% new French oak, the 2016 Chardonnay Double L is a step up in quality and is a more serious, layered Chardonnay. White peach, white flowers, honeysuckle, and a touch of brioche all emerge from this silky, elegant effort that has racy acidity, terrific balance, and a great finish. Drink it any time over the coming 5-7 years, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it keep longer.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: Since the 1982 vintage, Dan and Donna Lee have been leaders in improving the caliber of Central Coast wines. The 2016 Morgan Double L Vineyard Chardonnay is just another masterpiece amongst the many treasures they have produced. TASTING NOTES: This wine shows multi-faceted nuances that put it at the top of its class. This wine ripe apple skin, spicy oak, and bright minerality in its aromas and flavors. Pair enticing complexities with a savory rotisserie chicken. (Tasted: August 3, 2018, San Francisco, CA)
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.
Perhaps the most highly regarded appellation within Monterey County, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA benefits from a combination of warm morning sunshine and brisk afternoon breezes, allowing grapes to ripen slowly and fully. The result is concentrated, flavorful wines that retain their natural acidity. Wineries here do not shy away from innovation, and place a high priority on sustainable viticultural practices.
The climatic conditions here are perfectly suited to the production of ripe, rich Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. These Burgundian varieties dominate an overwhelming percentage of plantings, though growers have also found success with Syrah, Riesling and Pinot Gris.