2016 LIOCO Chardonnay "La Marisma Vineyard"

Santa Cruz Mountains, California

A southwest facing, hillside vineyard tucked into an ocean-cooled valley near the town of Aptos, six miles from the Pacific. Mount Eden selection chardonnay planted in 1998. Soil type is a deep alluvial fan of sand & calcareous marine deposits with excellent drainage. Reliable morning fog results in daily temperature fluctuations of 40+ degrees. The pattern of fog/sun/fog ensures proper vine respiration & very even ripening. Vinification 5.28 tons hand-harvested and sorted on Aug 27. Berries were "broken" before being pressed. Fermented on wild yeast in neutral oak casks. A slow, naturally occurring malolactic fermentation completed. Aged on lees for 12 months (no battonage) then settled in stainless steel for 4 months. Cross-flow filtered prior to bottling. AROMA key lime, lemongrass, graham cracker FLAVOR lemon bar, white tea, saline FOOD PAIRINGS scallop crudo, ono tacos, chicken picata