Longoria Wines: Santa Barbara county

We proudly release our 2001 Chardonnay blend, produced entirely from grapes grown in the Santa Rita Hills viticultural appellation. The weather at harvest was very similar to that of the 2000 vintage, and in fact we harvested our Chardonnay grapes on virtually the same days as last year. The difference however, is that we harvested most of our grapes at higher sugar levels than last year. The result is a heavier, riper wine, though still retaining a sense of balance and elegance, due to the characteristic presence of high acidity. We followed our customary practice of 100% barrel fermentation, aging "sur lies" for eleven months in French oak barrels, 33% of which were new.

The wine displays a sweet aroma of candied apples with a hint of cinnamon and custard. On the palate the wine is very rich, full bodied, with a beautiful integration of oak and fruit. The wine is quite expansive in the mouth and has a toasty, creamy finish.This wine will compliment seafood dishes with cream sauces, and even light game, such as turkey and quail with Chardonnay based sauces.

This wine will improve with another two to three years of bottle aging, though it is one of the most drinkable of our recent Chardonnays upon release

We are hearing more often these days that people are drinking less Chardonnay. That is why it is more important than ever to buy and drink the best Chardonnays. We feel that we continue to offer limited production, fine quality Chardonnays at relatively reasonable prices. Our hope is that you will agree that this new vintage is certainly another example. Look for one more 2001 Chardonnay to be released later this year.

Rick Longoria
Winemaker
February 1, 2003

Composition: 100% Chardonnay: Huber Vineyard: 53%
Sweeney Canyon Vineyard: 31%
Mt. Carmel Vineyard: 16%

pH: 3.31
Alcohol by volume: 15.3%
Total acidity: .64 g/100 ml.
Production: 710 cases
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