Palate
The Camelot vineyard brings lush, opulent pineapple, mango and papaya to the wine’s bouquet with a creamy richness finishing on the palate. The Neely vineyard offers the floral honeysuckle notes that add structurally elegant layers.
Growing Conditions
Much of Santa Barbara County’s reputation for bold Burgundy-style varietals can be attributed to the unique combination of long hangtimes in protracted growing seasons, cold nights all summer retaining perfect acidity and balance, and the benchland soils delivering minerality under low vigor. The Neely vineyard is in the eastern hills above Los Alamos, and the Camelot vineyard is on the northern slope of the Santa Maria Valley with a perfect East-West row direction insuring impeccable ripening. Sedimentary rock with small pieces of calcium carbonate and limestone outline their soils, guaranteeing great drainage and expressive wines.
Winemaking
After a challenging season that resulted in a distinctly rich and intriguing wine profile, the harvest was handpicked and kept lot-separated throughout production. The Lees were stirred every two weeks by hand with a precise seven strokes of the dodine tool each time. Four unique barrels among a peer group of very beautiful 2011 wines begged to be shown to the world. These profoundly complex Chardonnays beamed with quality and individuality that expressed the essence of their terroir.
Aging
14 months in French oak (77% new)
