1977 California Chardonnay
Winemaker's Notes
The “California” appellation refers to our blend of grapes from Santa Barbara County and the Alexander Valley. The grapes from Alexander Valley contribute the full body and intense flavors, while the grapes from Santa Barbara County contribute the high acidity.
Vintage Weather
Hot. Second drought year. Little bit cooler than 1976. Growers more prepared for low water. Vines still somewhat stressed, but the fruit had good balance and concentration. Long, cool, crush.
Tasting Notes
The resulting wine is crisp to the point of tartness with mouth filling fruit flavor. We preserved the freshness of the wine by limiting the time in oak to only five months. You can enjoy the wine in its youth as a delightful example of varietal fruit, or it can be aged to allow the oak complexities to surface for greater richness.
Technical Data:
| Harvest Dates: | Late September |
| Bottling Date: | December 1978 |
| Release Date: | June 1979 |
| Appellation: | California |
| Time in Oak: | 5 months |
| Sugar at Harvest: | 22.7° brix |
| Alcohol: | 13.4% |
| Total Acidity: | .78g/100ml. |
