Winemaker Notes
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.
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
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.
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.