Marine Layer 'Aries' Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast CA USA 2019

VINTAGE : 2019

COUNTRY : USA

REGION/APPELLATION : California, Sonoma Coast

VARIETALS : Chardonnay 

“Aries” is one of twelve constellations of the Zodiac and is depicted as a majestic golden-fleeced Ram in the northern sky. Aries comes into view as our Chardonnay vines begin to awaken from their long winter’s rest. It’s thought that the celestial pull of these new Spring constellations help draw the life-force back up from root to vine, as they begin their annual rebirth. 

VITICULTURAL AREA
A blended selection of barrels from our single-vineyard wines - the majority of the blend is Gap’s Crown Vineyard with some Heintz fruit. The Petaluma Gap AVA is the gateway to the Sonoma Coast, named after the coastal mountain opening that stretches east from the Pacific. Morning and evening fog, along with the strong afternoon winds, are distinct characteristics of the area. The result is lower yields and grapes that reach physiological ripeness much later and at lower sugar levels, while developing wonderful flavors and fruit characteristics with ideal levels of acidity - the perfect recipe for intense, but well-balanced wines.

VINIFICATION
Blend of all Heintz, Durrell, Gap's Crown, and Bohemian. Hand-harvested. Whole cluster direct to press,. 30% new oak. Spontaneous/native fermentation in barrel over 12-14 days. The wine undergoes 100% malolactic fermentation in barrel with gentle lees stirring throughout the spring. Wine ages for 12 months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.

TASTING NOTES
Light straw in color with a nose that leaps from the glass, reminiscent of lemon peel, green apple, and a trace of hazelnut. On the palate, the wine bursts with a beautiful array of citrus, from kaffir lime to orange, woven into fresh acidity and stony minerality. This beautiful freshness is accompanied with vanilla spice and marzipan from aging in barrel.