2017 Las Brisas Chardonnay

     Evan’s Ranch features a range of elevations, soil types and sun exposures.   This naturally creates different ‘blocks’ of grapes within the vineyard, each incorporating what we hope is an ideal mix of soil, microclimate, sun exposure, grape variety and clone.  (The latter is a mutation of a grape variety bred to accentuate certain positive traits of that variety.)

     We have three ‘blocks’ at Evan’s Ranch.  The highest in elevation is Las Brisas(Spanish for “The Breezes”), so named for the cool, sometimes gusty breezes from the nearby Pacific Ocean that regularly ruffle its vines.  These breezes have a de-vigorating effect on our Las Brisasvines, focusing their limited energy on fruit, rather than vegetative growth.

     The Las BrisasChardonnay is made from the same vineyard blocks every year, its characteristics change little from vintage to vintage, although the 2017 was a generous and concentrated vintage in Sta. Rita Hills.  This splendid vintage, delivers a deeper, more concentrated fruit character compared to the previous few vintages. Its wonderfully fresh, fragrant aromas of orange blossom, honeyed yellow apple, white peach, mango and spiced pear introduce a lush, full-bodied palate bursting with  mouth-filling peach, nectarine, pineapple, lemon curd and mineral flavors that linger throughout a long, flavorful finish.  Delightful now, our 2017                              Las BrisasChardonnay will continue evolving over the next 2-3 years.

Enjoy!

Dan Gainey