Pacific Ridge Vineyards

2005 Chardonnay Santa Barbara County

It has been ten years since our first Chardonnay was produced from Santa Barbara County.  This harvest presented a bit of a challenge that actually resulted in more evenly developed fruit.  Cool temperatures kept acid levels high, so a longer hang time was required for the Ph to rise.  The temperatures did allow a slow enough rise that although sugar levels rose, the fruit was balanced at harvest, with wonderful maturity of flavor. A higher than usual alcohol level resulted, which has very nicely matched with the accentuated structure and complexity of the fruit from this harvest.

Our chardonnay from two vineyards was fermented separately and later blended to produce a wonderfully complex wine.  A proportion of this blend was barrel fermented. The wine was handled with minimal processing to retain the most possible flavor and reflect the terroir of these premiere vineyards.  It was not heat or cold stabilized so may be a bit delicate (don’t refrigerate for long periods but store at proper white wine cellar temperature).  No fining was done but a filtration was performed before bottling.

Aged in a mix of neutral and newer French oak for 11 months:
Coopers, forests, and toastings varied

94 rating from Crush Me Press, April 2008

171 cases produced

Detailed Wine Information