2016 Stubbs Vineyard Chardonnay

TASTING NOTES

Our 2016 Stubbs Vineyard Chardonnay opens with a bright nose of white peach, nectarines and lime zest. Rich flavors of toasted lemon curd and hazelnut with a hint of soft spice coat the palate. This full-bodied Chardonnay offers a concentrated core and lingering finish, making it a perfect pairing to dishes like layered Paella or chicken alfredo.

VINEYARD NOTES

With the Pacific Ocean to the west and the San Francisco Bay to the east, Marin County is one of the coolest AVAs in California. The winter temperatures are typically warmer than Napa and Sonoma because of the surrounding bodies of water and its heavy precipitation. While bud break is accelerated, the cool spring and summer seasons lead to long hang times. This longer growing season lends itself to high quality wines with balance, natural acidity, and lower alcohol levels.

WINEMAKER NOTES

Stubbs Vineyard is located in a narrow valley that opens to the south of the vineyard. The vineyard is divided by a seasonal creek that helps drain the area of cold air during the frost season. The soils are a mix of alluvial deposits and decomposed sandstone, with variable drainage depending upon location in regards to the creek. The long growing season combined with cool climate leads to a mixture of dark fruit, spice and floral elements with flavor ripeness occurring at fairly low brix and high acidity. The wines are more delicate on the whole than warmer climate sites, but have an elegance that is hard to find in most of California.