Alma Rosa Winery – Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills

• 100% El Jabali Vineyard
• Clones: 55% Dijon, 23% 548, 22% Wente

Vintage Note: the 2022 vintage began with cold mornings and warm afternoons, a trend that lasted through April. Ideal summer temperatures continued, with morning fog and persistent afternoon breezes from the Pacific Ocean. This steady weather resulted in a long, moderate growing season, which allowed the grapes to develop slowly and gradually, with small berries and clusters. A September heatwave provoked a fast and short harvest with long hours in the winery processing a deluge of beautiful fruit. The resulting crop yielded fruit with bright acidity and minerality, beautiful aromas and complexity. A spectacular and “classic” Sta. Rita Hills vintage, 2022 reminded Alma Rosa’s Founders Richard and Thekla Stanford of 1971, the year they first planted Pinot Noir in the Sta. Rita Hills.

Winemaking

• Settled for 24 hours in stainless steel tanks and then racked into barrels
• Small inoculation for primary fermentation
• Primary fermentation lasted until March
• Bâtonnage was weekly until February
• Malolactic fermentation occurred naturally and lasted until April
• Wine was aged on gross lees for 10 months in 27% new French oak
• Bottled slightly polished in August

Tasting Notes: In the glass, the 2022 Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay displays a delicate golden hue. The nose welcomes with pleasing hints of citrus blossoms, freshly squeezed lemon and honeydew melon. On the palate, vivid, mouthwatering acidity takes center stage, accompanied by a subtle salinity that persists through to a smooth and lingering finish. The wine’s oceanic minerality and bright, citrusy acidity are hallmarks of Chardonnay grown at Alma Rosa’s estate El Jabali Vineyard.

Lovely nectarine and white flower aromas are cleanly presented on the nose of this bottling. The palate is tightly wound at first and then opens into flavors of orange oil and lemon blossom before clinging back to that leathery structure. — Matt Kettmann