Schug Estate Grown Chardonnay 2018, Carneros, California

100% Schug Carneros Estate Chardonnay. Fermentation: 100% barrel fermented. Aging/Cooperate: Aged “sur-lie” for 7 months in 34% new French oak. All barrels were protected from malolactic fermentation. The Schug Estate vineyard, planted in 1989, sits at the base of a high ridge at the windy Western edge of the Carneros AVA in Sonoma county. This bottling highlights several clones of chardonnay grown on individual blocks. The Wente selections grown on the loamy soil of Blocks 3 & 5 have smaller berries which gives the wine a rich texture when young, and in time develops an oily, succulent mouthfeel. Both Blocks 1 & 2 are heavier soils and offer wines of a more robust character. The final blend offers intense fruit aromas of ripe pear and orange liqueur, compelmented by a layer of toasty oak. Bright apple and citus flavors give way to a full-bodied texture and a long finish.