Eden Rift - Estate Chardonnay 2018 | Monsieur Touton Selection

Tasting notes

The Estate Chardonnay shows great focus, epitomizing nature of the Eden Rift Estate. It is bright with notes of exotic citrus as well as Bosc pear, lemon zest, orange cream, white flowers and mineral notes. On the palate, it is richly textured yet replete with acidity.

Estate

Under Vine Since 1849 – Eden Rift is the oldest continuously producing estate vineyard in California. Located just 20 miles from the Monterey Bay, the 120-acre estate rests on the San Andreas Faultline and is part of the Cienega Valley AVA. Early vintners saw potential in the limestone and dolomite-rich soil, planting Pinot Noir on the estate in 1860. Post prohibition, the focus on Pinot Noir & Chardonnay was lost until 2016 when Christian Pillsbury acquired the estate. Christian assembled a team of young industry professionals starting with winemaker Cory Waller to once again create some of California’s most vivid energetic Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The extreme terraces and diverse terroir in a single contiguous valley make California’s oldest estate vineyard one of its most exciting new projects.

Vinification

Chardonnay grapes from three blocks were hand-harvested over four separate days in September and early October. At the winery, the Chardonnay was whole-cluster pressed with the resulting juice transferred to a holding tank for cold-settling. Following 24 hours of settling the juice was racked to French oak barrels (18% new) for fermentation which occurred on native yeasts. Ultimately, the wine completed both primary and secondary fermentation in barrel, where it also aged “sur-lie” with battonage occurring every week through Spring. Following 10 months of aging, the wine was bottled in late August.

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