Gnarly Head Chardonnay

Description

Fresh, vibrant and fruit forward; full of tropical flavors with just a touch of vanilla.Wine Gnarly Head Chardonnay raises the bar for this classic varietal. This Chardonnay is a juicy, medium-bodied wine that explodes with bright citrusy aromas of lemon zest, cantaloupe melon and just a hint of toasty oak. Big robust flavors of citrus and apple with a touch of graham cracker ensure a perfect match with a range of cuisine including chicken curry, grilled shrimp and spaghetti carbonara.Vintage If California winemakers were asked to describe the 2015 vintage in a few words, they would be early, light and excellent. A mild winter forced an early bud break, followed by a prolonged bloom and unusually cool spring temperatures that produced smaller berries, fewer clusters and therefore, reduced yields compared to the last three record-breaking vintages. After a hot, dry summer, a temperature spike in late August accelerated ripening and harvest to be a couple weeks earlier than usual. All of these elements resulted in high quality grapes statewidebalanced acidity levels, intense aromatics and concentrated colors and flavors.Vineyards The 2015 Gnarly Head Chardonnay is crafted using grapes from specially selected vineyards in Lodi and Monterey. Chardonnay fruit from the Lodi region contributes ripe, rich fruit flavors with a creamy mouthfeel, while grapes from the cooler areas of Monterey add crisp acidity, balanced with vibrant citrus and tropical fruit flavors.Winemaking The grapes are harvested in the early morning hours so they remain cool before being delivered immediately to the winery to be pressed off the skins and racked into fermenters. After fermentation, a portion of the Chardonnay underwent malolactic fermentation to add a lush, round texture to the wine. Each lot is aged separately to add depth and complexity to the final Chardonnay blend. – Scott Jones, Winemaker