ARGOT 2019 Chardonnay Bennett Valley

VINEYARD   Three vineyards in the significantly cool AVA of Bennett Valley — two located on the valley floor; one on the north-facing hillsides overlooking the valley
PRODUCTION   600 cases
VARIETAL   100% Chardonnay
CRUSH   Night harvested by hand on October 1, 10 and 21st. Whole-cluster pressed at low pressures, over multiple hours. Gently settled overnight before barreling down.
FERMENT   Spontaneous primary and secondary fermentations occur in barrel on their fine lees.
AGING   15 months in used French oak barrels, primarily second pass. Never racked prior to bottling.  Bottled un-fined, unfiltered.
NOTES Our vineyards’ cool microclimates, old vines and deep volcanic soils allow their grapes an extended ripening period on the vine, resulting in perfect balance and concentrated flavors. Raised by minimalistic methods — native barrel fermentations in used oak, sur-lie aging and an extended élevage — often associated with the classic Chardonnay winemaking techniques of Meursault, have led to a glorious Chardonnay. Pouring green-tinged into the glass, the nose and palate exude Pome fruits, white flowers and citrus blossoms, all delivered by the gorgeous textures that only barrel-fermented and barrel-raised Chardonnay achieves.
PRESS “Plush, creamy and open-textured, with accents of nutmeg to the baked apple and glazed pepper flavors. Pastry accents show on the finish” –Wine Spectator
“…a nose of spiced citrus, white flowers, and toasted nuts. It’s medium-bodied, has a clean, balanced, straightforward style…it’s a solid, more mineral-driven, elegant Chardonnay” –Jeb Dunnuck