2011 Estate Chardonnay

Vintage: 2011 Maiden Vintage

Orientation: Santa Rita Hills, ocean-facing (south) canyon

Soil: Diatomaceous clay & limestone        Viticulture: Organic Biodynamic

Production: 300 cases    abv: 13.5%

Vinification & Aging Process:  (Winemaker: Justin Willett)

Pressed to tank, settled over night, racked off of heavy lees to another tank where fermentation started.   Once active, it was transferred to about 25% new wood (French Oak) and the rest to older French oak barrels.  No stirring during primary or secondary fermentation and ML went all the way through.  Once done with ML the wines were very lightly sulphured and left on the lees for a total time in barrel just shy of one year and racked to stainless steel tank to rest for six months prior to bottling.

Notes: This small, family vineyard is just 12 ½ planted acres (5 ½ Chardonnay, 7 Pinot Noir), yet it sits on a 100-acre parcel that runs from the Santa Ynez River up through the hills & canyons of the Santa Rita Hills. This provides the vineyard with ample untouched space for constant air circulation and natural biodiversity that we believe is extremely beneficial for growing the best quality fruit. Sandwiched between the larger Sea Smoke & Mt. Carmel Vineyards, Wenzlau Vineyard enjoys the steady ocean breeze that comes through the southwest facing canyon from the Pacific Ocean just 7 miles as the crow flies.

Vinous Review:  93 Points    Wenzlau Vineyard's 2011 Chardonnay Estate wraps around the palate with expressive notes of apricot, peach, spices, floral-infused honey and almonds. The inherently rich style of the site is nicely balanced in this layered, textured Chardonnay. The presence of Wente, 548 and 4 clones is felt in the wine's weight and viscosity. At the same time, there is a center of minerality on the 2011 that adds dimensions of energy and precision. This is another terrific effort from Bill Wenzlau and Justin Willett.