The 2011 Joel Gott Unoaked Chardonnay has bright citrus aromas of mandarin and lime that lead to more floral aromas of vanilla and honeysuckle. On the palate, stone fruit and apple flavors are balanced by a clean, bright acid backbone with a rounder midpalate and minerality on the finish.

Fruit from cool, marine-influenced Monterey has been the base of our Chardonnay since 2006. The cool weather there allows for longer hangtime on the vine, creating more flavorful fruit with good acidity. For this vintage though, we found some great Chardonnay vineyards in Napa and Sonoma that we included in the wine—and on the label. Both these regions complement the Monterey fruit, with Napa adding rich, ripe flavors that bring a concentration to the overall blend, and Sonoma providing the minerality and complexity. As with previous vintages, the Chardonnay is made in the Chablis-style, does not go through malolactic fermentation, and is fermented and aged in stainless steel. This style of winemaking preserves the purity and flavors of the fruit and leads to an elegant, naturally balanced wine.

Varietal:
100% Chardonnay
Appellation:
Monterey
Napa Valley
Napa
Sonoma
Barrel:
100% Stainless Steel
Alcohol:
13.5%