Marine Layer
2021 Aries Chardonnay
VITICULTURAL AREA
A blended selection of barrels from our single vineyard Chardonnays, representing some of our favorite sub-AVAs within the Sonoma Coast. The Charles Heintz Vineyard and Bohemian Vineyard in the Green Valley sub-AVA, the Durell Vineyard and Gap's Crown Vineyard in the Petaluma Gap,along with our very own Marine Layer Vineyard in Sebastopol Hills. Foggy, cool evenings, unique microclimates, and diverse soil types define these sought-after Sonoma Coast sites.
VINIFICATION
Hand-picked at night, whole cluster direct to press. Cold settled for 24 hours, then put into oak puncheon and barrel, 25% new. Cool native ferment at 58-60°F for 10-14 days. Spontaneous/native fermentation; the wine undergoes 100% malolactic. Gentle lees stirring once per month. After aging 11 months, the blend is assembled and racked gently to tank. Unfined and lightly filtered.
TASTING NOTES
Pale straw in color with a nose that leaps from the glass, reminiscent of lemon curd and jasmine flower. On the palate, the wine beams with a bright and brilliant array of citrus, white peach, and lime leaves, all interwoven with an ever-present stony minerality. Its fresh acidity is complemented by a subtle hint of graham cracker crust from barrel age.
PRESS - 91 VIN
The 2021 Aries Chardonnay is gorgeous. Bright and floral, with terrific depth, the Aries is seriously impressive.Lemon confit, white flowers, mint, chalk and white pepper lend notable aromatic brilliance. Vineyard sites are Charles Heintz, Gaps Crown, Durell and the Estate, which is pretty impressive at this level." 91 points
- Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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