Dehlinger Estate Chardonnay (75cl, 14.2%)

An unfiltered, estate-grown Russian River Valley Chardonnay at 14.2% ABV in a 750ml bottle, fermented with native yeasts in French oak. The vines were planted in 1975 using the California heritage Wente clone, and the fruit grows in Goldridge series soils. Fermentation in French oak barrels with indigenous yeasts is followed by full malolactic fermentation and about one year of ageing on the lees; the wine is bottled unfiltered. The nose shows Gala and Granny Smith apple, lemon citrus, marzipan, saline seaspray, toasty oak, leesy nutty undertones and burnt sugar. The palate has zesty lemon acidity, tangerine, pear, verbena, lees-driven richness, earthy stony minerality, thyme and tropical tones. The finish is long and structured, with saline and mineral edges, vanilla, smoke and crisp apple.