#html-body [data-pb-style=QYPY2GM]{justify-content:flex-start;display:flex;flex-direction:column;background-position:left top;background-size:cover;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-attachment:scroll;width:100%;align-self:stretch}Uplifting notes of citrus, pear and tangerine and a touchof oak spice lead to a richly textured palate with freshmineral nuances and a long, elegant finish.Producer NoteThe Franscioni family is one of the most important vineyard owners in northernMonterey. Now in the hands of the fourth generation, they own 290-hectares of cool climate, sustainably grown and certified vines. They grow primarily Chardonnay andPinot Noir at the foot of the Gabilan Mountain Range. They sell grapes to some of thebiggest names in the industry, but they retain some of the best for themselves. Theirconsultant winemaker is the industry pioneer and veteran, Dan Karlsen, who with over40 harvests under his belt, has made wine at illustrious neighbours Talbott andChalone. With a deftness of touch, he crafts true cool-climate expressions ofChardonnay and Pinot Noir which offer exceptional value for money.VintageThe weather provided excellent conditions for the 2019 harvest in California. Thesummer was relatively mild and the warm, with the warm, dry weather continuing intothe autumn and creating perfect conditions for harvest. Overall, yields were slightlylower than the 2018 bumper crop, but the fruit created beautifully balanced wines withbright expression.VineyardThe fruit comes from the estate Grava vineyard, which is one of the most northerlyplantings in Monterey County. It nestles up to the Gabilan Mountain Range on theeastern side of the Salinas Valley; approximately 10 miles directly across from the SantaLucia Highlands. The marine influence of the nearby Monterey Bay and the morning fogwhich clears for the afternoon sun, results in a cool mesoclimate and a long hang-timefor the fruit. The grapes reflect the cool climate character, with complex aromatics andflavours and natural balancing acidity. The vineyard is cultivated sustainably and arecertified by the California Sustainable Wine Growing Alliance. Vines are VSP trainedand pruned to two bud spurs spaced approximately 10cm apart; the vines are shootthinned, leaf pulled and shoots are positioned with wire moves. These methods ensureadequate sunlight for optimising fruit-forward expression in the wines.WinemakingThe grapes were whole cluster pressed and racked to ferment under temperaturecontrolled conditions. The wine spent nine months maturing in a combination ofstainless steel vats to retain the pure fruit character with French oak influence to impartcomplexity. The wine underwent 100% malolactic conversion, resulting in a softertexture. The wine was lightly filtered prior to bottling.Tasting NoteA richly textured Chardonnay, with bright notes of citrus, pear and tangerine and atouch of oak spice through to a long, elegant finish with mineral nuances.GrapeChardonnay 100%Winemaker: Dan KarlsenRegion: CaliforniaSubregion: MontereyCountry: USAAlcohol: 14%