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Wine Specs

Vintage

2017

Varietal

Chardonnay

Appellation

Sonoma Coast

Vineyard Designation

Gap's Crown Vineyard

Harvest Date

September 13, 2014

Sugar

23.9 Brix

Acid

.60 gms/100ml

3.52

Aging

Aged sur lie 17 months in French Oak, 15% New

Fermentation

100% barrel fermented. 100% native fermentation. 100% malolactic fermentation

Bottling Date

December 9, 2015

Alcohol %

14.7

2017 Gap's Crown Vineyard Chardonnay

Sonoma Coast

Gap’s Crown has gained a certain notoriety for Pinot Noir, but really, this is a special site where Chardonnay reaches for the stars. As the most easterly vineyard in the Petaluma Gap, it’s a bit of a chameleon. Fog and wind arrive each morning, making this one of the coolest areas along the Sonoma Coast. But the vineyard sits above (mostly) the fog line so when the warming afternoon sun arrives, it brings plenty of sunshine to kiss the vines. Gap’s Crown Vineyard is situated directly east of and overlooks the Sangiacomo Vineyard on Roberts Road near Cotati at an elevation of 300-800 feet above sea level. This is an extremely rocky, well-draining site with northwestern exposure, which consistently produces powerful, concentrated Pinot noir and Chardonnay in a New World-style. Its proximity to the Petaluma Gap, from which its name is derived, effectively moderates temperature during warm spells in the summer and fall and enables the crop to hang into late September and October in most vintages.

In Stock

Notes of lemon meringue, orange peel and vanilla fill the aromas on this wine with the first swirl. Big and concentrated upon entry, this Chardonnay is filled with toasted brioche, poached pears and hints of toasted almonds supported by a backbone of acidity that keeps the wine bright and refreshing as it finishes.

Winemaking:

Grapes were hand picked and hand sorted in the field and at the winery
100% whole cluster pressed straight to barrel
100% native fermentation
Aged 11 months in 33% New French Oak, followed by 6 months in Stainless Steel
Bottled 100% unfined and unfiltered, January 2019

Clones: Dijon 96

Production: 300 hand-crafted cases

Wine Profile

Awards

~ 90 Pts "Outstanding" / “Moderately light golden yellow color in the glass. Aromas of fresh-squeezed lemon and honeycomb lead to flavors of citrus, poached yellow apple, vanilla cream and caramel. Slightly creamy in texture, with integrated acidity and finish filled with caramelized apple flavor.” - Rusty Gaffney, PinotFile

Vineyard Notes

~ 91 Pts / "Lush and silky with juicy pear and citrus fruit; smooth, bright and tangy; fresh, and long." - Anthony Dias Blue, Tasting Panel Magazine

Other Notes

TASTING NOTES: Gap’s Crown has gained a certain notoriety for Pinot Noir, but really, this is a special site where Chardonnay reaches for the stars. As the most easterly vineyard in the Petaluma Gap, it’s a bit of a chameleon. Fog and wind arrive each morning, making this one of the coolest areas along the Sonoma Coast. But the vineyard sits above (mostly) the fog line so when the warming afternoon sun arrives, it brings plenty of sunshine to kiss the vines. Bright fruit with great acid structure is key here, in a wine made using techniques well known to sparkling producers. There’s a rich, round mouthfeel with a creaminess accented by lemon meringue, ripe pear and salty caramel. A touch less new French oak and whole clusters gently pressed, with 17 months aging, result in any anything but shy Chardonnay.