2005 Lincourt Chardonnay Santa Barbara

NOTES FROM THE CELLAR

A wonderful vintage the Lincourt 2005 Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County, incorporates fruit from three select vineyards. The majority of the blend was sourced from the Santa Maria Valley with world-class fruit coming from the Bien Nacido and Solomon Hills vineyards. The balance of the blend comes from Rancho Santa Rosa, located in the Santa Rita Hills AVA. Altogether the three vineyards have created an extremely complex wine with layers of aromatics and an intriguing structure. Classic winemaking techniques further enhanced the Chardonnay, as the grapes were whole cluster pressed, barrel fermented and aged for 11 months in 60-gallon French oak barrels. Resting sur-lie, the wine completed full malolactic fermentation, adding a nice rich and developed structure. The Lincourt 2004 Chardonnay is a distinct and complex wine with an amazing fruit-driven nature. In the bouquet aromas of manderine orange, pineapple, pink grapefruit and mango are infused with notes of honeysuckle, vanilla, hazelnut and caramel. A clean wine, crisp acidity is coupled with round and creamy textures in the mouth.