Ratings

Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Dec. 2020) – 94 pts
"The 2019 Chardonnay Seavey Vineyard is a fitting conclusion to this tasting. Bright and finely cut, the 2019 possesses terrific energy and plenty of hillside verve. The lemon peel, orchard fruit and floral notes are nicely lifted, while supporting veins of saline minerality give the wine shape. This airy, restrained Chardonnay is a knock-out. Drink it over the next handful of years.”

VINEYARD NOTES

Our Chardonnay blocks are nestled at the lowest elevation of our Estate, just above Conn Creek where they are surrounded on three sides by trees. The resulting environment is relatively cool, compared to the rest of our vineyard, encouraging a crisp Chardonnay with a wide flavor profile that features the soil’s minerality. The 2019 vintage is the first to include our newly planted Wente clones. The growing season began wet, providing the vines with moisture well into the warm summer. The season progressed with limited heat events and ended with a long, mild harvest that allowed the brightness and high quality of the fruit to shine.

PRODUCTION NOTES

The grapes were picked in the cool early morning hours and then immediately whole-cluster pressed before beginning fermentation in Burgundian barrels, two of which underwent malolactic fermentation. The wine continued to age in the French barrels for a total of nine months (20% new) before bottling in June 2020.

100% ESTATE GROWN, PRODUCED & BOTTLED, NAPA VALLEY AVA