v.2023 Chardonnay ALBA
Tasting notes
Bright and precise, ALBA opens with vibrant aromas of Moroccan preserved lemon, layered with vanilla pod and Meyer lemon zest. The finish is clean and mineral, with vibrant acidity bringing tension and length without overpowering the fruit. ALBA is a perfect tablemate with cold poached prawns and freshly opened oysters.
‘ALBA’ translates to ‘Sunrise’ or ‘Dawn’ and the fruit for this select bottling was grown entirely on the steep, east-facing corner of our Estate Vineyard where it is first to greet the rays of the rising sun. This tiny 2.2 acre parcel is one of our favorite blocks of the original plantings, and has been a perennial contributor to our top ‘Center of Effort’ and ‘Giallo Solare’ bottlings.
Inspired by the Pacific Ocean’s daily influence on our coastal climate - and the ancient seabed that anchors our vines - we were drawn to experimenting with fermentation vessels with a similar connection to the sea. The ‘Atlantique’ barrel, crafted by Tonnellerie Eric Millard, is made from oak staves that spend a full year submerged beneath the sea before being seasoned and shaped into barrels. A gentle toast preserves the wood’s integrity while imparting a delicate signature and enhancing fruit expression
| Download Wine Notes |
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Varietal Composition | 100% Chardonnay, Clone 5, Planted in 1997
|
| Appellation | Edna Valley AVA |
| Vineyard | Center of Effort Estate |
| Designation | Estate Grown |
| Harvest Date | 10/13/2023 |
| PH | 3.42 |
| Aging | Aaged in French oak barrels (45% new) including Eric Millard’s ‘Atlantique’ barriques |
| Fermentation | Completed ML, Fermentation & 19 months sur-lie |
| Alcohol | 14.00% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Cases Produced | 304 6-pack cases |
