Wines from Rosella's Vineyard fruit are consistently excellent and distinctive.
The Vineyard
Rosella's Vineyard, farmed by Gary Franscioni and his wife Rosella, has provided both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to the winery for a number of years.
Located about three miles south of Morgan’s Double L Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands, Rosella’s is planted to several Dijon clones, and is one of the top vineyards of the appellation. The site is a bit warmer than the Double L. The vineyard was planted in 1996 with a density of 1089 plants per acre.
The Vintage
Although 2007 was typically cool and windy, this vintage shows a lot of intensity due to high stress on the vines from a dry winter preceding a cold, wet spring. The outcome of this weather pattern was a 40% decrease in crop production. Summer and fall were uneventful which resulted in normal hang-time and a clean harvest. We finished Chardonnay harvest in Rosella’s Vineyard on October 17th.
Vinification & Aging
After whole cluster pressing, the wine is 100% barrel fermented in 35% new Burgundy barrels using Montrachet yeasts. This vintage the malolactic fermentation was stopped before completely finishing.
The wine is aged eleven months on the lees with monthly stirrings, bottling took place in August of 2008.
Dijon clone 76 comprises two-thirds of the blend with last third divided by equal parts of clones 95 and 96.
Aromas, Flavors, and Palate Impressions
This wine displays a medium straw-gold color. The nose shows buttered tropical fruit such as papaya and guava. Additional notes of honey, walnuts and golden delicious apples are present. The great mouth feel of this wine is highlighted by flavors of hazelnuts, green apple, pineapple, and flint. The wine is elegantly balanced. The rich malolactic components and new oak purely support the vibrant fruit from Rosella’s Chardonnay.
