"A gorgeous rich style, the bouquet shows golden peach, baked apple, vanilla and toasty oak characters, followed by a succulent palate that is weighty and expansive. The wine offers opulence and plush mouthfeel, leading to a lingering creamy finish. At its best: now to 2020" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Jan 2019

Gnarly Head Chardonnay raises the bar for this classic varietal. This Chardonnay is a juicy, medium-bodied wine with a creamy mid-palate and refreshing notes of acidity. Bright aromas of green apple, citrus, white flower and hints of toasted oak are followed by intense flavors of Granny Smith apples, honeydew melon and Meyer lemon.

The 2017 Gnarly Head Chardonnay is crafted using grapes from specially selected vineyards throughout one of California’s premiere Chardonnay-producing areas, the Central Coast. Located along the Pacific coast, this area is ideal for growing Chardonnay with its sunny days and cool, breezy nights. The riper fruit from the warmer inland vineyards contributes rich, tropical flavors with a creamy mouthfeel, while grapes from the cooler coastal areas add mild acidity, balanced with vibrant citrus characteristics.

There was above average rainfall this winter on the Central Coast. This rainfall helped fill up the reservoirs and bring new life to cover crops that had been parched after several years of drought. It has been a good year for us on the Central Coast. A heat spell impacted many California regions in late summer, speeding up harvest schedules and requiring extra vigilance. These warm temperatures helped the grapes transition to full ripeness, resulting in rich, full flavors.

The Chardonnay grapes were harvested within a specific timeframe in which the varietal displayed the ideal balance of characteristics, then were brought to the winery where they were gently pressed and transferred to stainless steel tanks. After fermentation, the wine was aged on a combination of French and American oak where it underwent malolactic fermentation to add a lush, round texture to the wine. Each lot is aged separately to add depth and complexity to the final Chardonnay blend.

Food Pairing: Perfect match with a range of cuisine including Dijon chicken, pasta primavera or chicken Caesar salad.