Richard Longoria Chardonnay

Our Wines / Chardonnay

For over twenty-five years we have sourced our Chardonnay grapes exclusively from vineyards within the Santa Rita Hills viticultural appellation. From my extensive years of experience, I have come to favor this cool climate region for providing the type of fruit that enables me to make a more European style of wine. Full barrel fermentation in 100% French oak barrels, partial malo-lactic conversion, and aging “sur lies” for almost one year are the techniques we employ. These practices yield wines with complexity and richness which we feel, combined with the vibrant minerality that comes naturally from the grapes, produce wines with the quality that characterizes world class Chardonnay.

We produce just two bottlings, the Santa Rita Hills, and the Cuvée Diana. The production of both wines is very limited, and therefore the wines are primarily available through our tasting room or online store, with only very limited distribution elsewhere.

Purchase Wine

2010 Chardonnay
Santa Rita Hills

2010 Chardonnay

Technical Details

Composition:
100% Chardonnay

Vineyard Sources:
100% Zotovich Vineyard

Production: 78 cases
Alcohol by volume: 14.2%
pH: 3.24
Titratable acidity: .74g/ml
Cellaring potential: Two to three years
Bottle price: $28

 

Winemaker's Notes
This 2010 Chardonnay from Santa Rita Hills is composed of a single vineyard lot produced from grapes grown at Zotovich Vineyard. The cool climate and sandy soils at this site produce a wine that is aromatic and balanced with high natural acidity.
The grapes were harvested on Oct. 2nd at a moderate sugar level of 24 Brix, which we feel was the optimal point of balancing the flavor development with the acidity level.
The grapes were pressed and the juice was settled before being transferred to French oak barrels for fermentation. After fermentation the lees were stirred every two weeks for the first three months. The wine was then allowed to clarify for the balance of the ten months of barrel aging. In order to preserve the fruit aromatics and flavor, no new oak barrels were used for the aging process. The wine was fined, filtered and bottled in early September 2011.
The wine has brilliant clarity with a pale straw golden color. The aromas are a mixture of lemon meringue and custard, candied orange rind and a hint of crème brûlée. On the palate it has light to medium weight with flavors of pear and nutmeg spice. The oak is well integrated with the flavors. The acidity is moderately high which contributes to a long crisp finish. The finish is developing a toasty caramel character which it will continue to do as it develops in the bottle.
This wine will pair well with a wide variety of dishes including poultry, fish prepared in cream sauces, and clam chowder.

This 2010 Chardonnay from Santa Rita Hills is composed of a single vineyard lot produced from grapes grown at Zotovich Vineyard. The cool climate and sandy soils at this site produce a wine that is aromatic and balanced with high natural acidity.The grapes were harvested on Oct. 2nd at a moderate sugar level of 24 Brix, which we feel was the optimal point of balancing the flavor development with the acidity level.

The grapes were pressed and the juice was settled before being transferred to French oak barrels for fermentation. After fermentation the lees were stirred every two weeks for the first three months. The wine was then allowed to clarify for the balance of the ten months of barrel aging. In order to preserve the fruit aromatics and flavor, no new oak barrels were used for the aging process. The wine was fined, filtered and bottled in early September 2011.

The wine has brilliant clarity with a pale straw golden color. The aromas are a mixture of lemon meringue and custard, candied orange rind and a hint of crème brûlée. On the palate it has light to medium weight with flavors of pear and nutmeg spice. The oak is well integrated with the flavors. The acidity is moderately high which contributes to a long crisp finish. The finish is developing a toasty caramel character which it will continue to do as it develops in the bottle.

This wine will pair well with a wide variety of dishes including poultry, fish prepared in cream sauces, and clam chowder.
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