Dragonette Cellars 2020 Chardonnay

Winery Notes:

2020 was aiming to be a classic cool climate year, until a series of punishing heat waves hit beginning in mid August. Fortunately, each heat wave was interspersed with cool periods which allowed the vines to reset. We picked the Chardonnay in between the heat waves, beginning in mid to late September under ideal (cool, foggy) conditions. The wine was fermented and aged on its lees in French oak barriques (5% new), with partial malolactic fermentation occurring spontaneously in barrel. The resulting wine is aged for 16 months on its lees without stirring, before selection, blending and bottling. This is a decidedly cooler climate Chardonnay, with terrific acids and minerality which lifts the ripe tropical fruit flavors, giving a very long finish. We love the complexity and energy of this wine. 

92 points Jeb Dunnuck