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April 28, 2000
Santa Barbara County
The 1997 Sunstone Chardonnay was entirely handpicked from three select vineyards located near the coast, which have been blessed by the ever-important marine influence of fog and cool ocean breezes. Fess Parker Vineyards, with its temperate days and cold nights provided a perfect balance of complex sugars and acidity during harvest. Marcella Vineyards, located in the Santa Maria Valley, was chosen for its consistently cool temperatures and excellent tropical fruit flavors. We also used Viognier in the final blend, an extremely aromatic varietal, which was picked from Sunstones estate vineyards.
After being whole cluster pressed - which produced delicate, complex fruit aromas - the Marcellas and Viognier juice components fermented separately in 100% French oak barrels, while the Fess Parker juice fermented in stainless steel. Soon after, each component underwent 100% Malo-lactic fermentation, which gave the wine its soft buttery character. After 8 months of aging we blended the wines together with the goal of producing a medium-bodied, soft and supple Chardonnay. It was then cold and heat stabilized, fined, filtered and bottled in April 1998.
Visually, this Chardonnay shows nice clarity, and is light straw in color. It has exotic floral and fruit aromas of flowers, honeysuckle, pears, apples, and subtle hints of vanillin oak. The palate expresses a nice balance of acidity, fruit and oak, with delicate flavors of citrus, pineapple, and nicely integrated layers of soft oak to enhance the fruit. This medium-bodied wine would make for an excellent match with Pacific-rim cuisine in citrus-based sauces.
Fred Rice - Winemaker
