Nose
West Rows is a full-bodied Chardonnay made in the classic Burgundian style, yet its aromas lead you to think California Chardonnay; in this case, you get the best of both. Tangerine, sweet citrus, and orange Bavarian crème are dense on the nose and light on the palate.
Palate
Classic oak and butter characteristics add a silky roundness in the mouthfeel. Left on its lees, this wine develops a creamy texture with a weighted body. West Rows is well balanced, lavish with an evocative finish with lingering and inviting flavors.
Growing Conditions
The Sangiacomo West Rows are located in “the sweet spot” of Carneros, above the harsh winds originating from the Pacific Ocean. The vineyard is near the Sonoma Creek and benefits from loamy soils, unlike the clay consistency of other nearby Carneros vineyards. Chosen as part of a group of select rows and blocks, these Wente clones have unique and consistent characteristics of the loam terrior and the climate of the Carneros region.
Growing season 2015 was in the fourth year of the severe drought in California. The normally rainy season between January and March was quite dry resulting in a lighter harvest and an early one. We continue to believe that our farming practices give us an edge over traditional farmers, since our vines have been taught to drive their roots deep into the soils, claiming water from below, not above.
Harvest
We knew mid summer that harvest would come early, and it did for most of our vineyards but the cooling afternoon winds and proximity to the ocean mean grapes need to hang longer. Our mid September harvest was pretty similar to 2014.
Winemaking
The grapes from West Rows were picked at a lower level of sugar and pressed so the fruit reaches its pinnacle in the bottle, not on the vine. Fermentation was done in 100% French oak barrels. The wine was crafted in 100% French oak barrels and the lees stirred every two weeks to develop the signature creamy texture. Once the wine was ready for bottling it was racked into a tank and left to settle, naturally, for a couple of weeks.
