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*NEW RELEASE*
Vineyards
The rugged topography of the Santa Cruz Mountains limits the size of individual vineyards. The costs associated with planting small mountain vineyards limits the overall acreage devoted to grapes in this cool coastal appellation. The Liebeler Vineyard is located within the town limits of Woodside, CA. It also falls within the unique elevation requirements of the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation. The vineyard is quite small—only 2.5 acres of Chardonnay are planted. Low-nutrient soils and cooling coastal fog keep Liebeler grapes on the vine into the latter part of the harvest season.
Winemaking
The grapes were hand-picked and immediately brought to the winery where they were whole-cluster pressed. The free-run juice was cold settled for 24 hours then racked to barrels where both primary and malolactic fermentations took place. The lees were stirred twice a week for 12 weeks, then once a month thereafter. The wine aged for 10 months in 40% new French oak barrels was racked once prior to racking for bottling. There was no fining or filtering, resulting in a naturally produced hand-crafted wine that may throw a sediment.
Tasting Notes
A slight cloudiness and some remnants of the less the wine was aged on. Fruit aromas: pineapples, bananas, pears, apple crisp and melon. New French oak is apparent. Caramel and vanilla flavors with a touch of smoke. The oak is very balanced with the fruit and solid acidity. Viscous mouthfeel. The flavors of fruit and oak are concurrent with the aromas. Tropical, pears and apples. Vanilla and butterscotch on the finish. Pair with a chicken or fish dish with a creamy, buttery sauce and capers.
Technical Data
Blend: 100% Chardonnay, Liebeler Vineyard
Appellation: Santa Cruz Mountains
Harvest Dates: October 11, 2008
Bottling Dates: September 8, 2009
Release Date: December, 2009
Alcohol: 14.5%
PH: 3.58
TA: 0.58
Total Cases: 231
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