Alma Rosa - Chardonnay El Jabali Vineyard 2020 (750ml)
Price: $48.99
| Producer | Alma Rosa |
| Country | United States |
| Region | California |
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Sku | 203072 |
| Size | 750ml |
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Alma Rosa Description
Alma Rosa is deeply rooted in the winemaking history of the Santa Rosa Hills in the southern sector of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Here, growing conditions combine sunshine with the powerful cooling influence of onshore winds and fog from the Pacific Ocean. The unique geography, chilly climate, and clay-loam soils attracted Richard Sanford to this area in the early 70s where he pioneered Pinot Noir in Santa Barbara County. Growing consistently balanced wines through sustainable farming is part of the enduring legacy of our founder Richard Sanford.
100% whole cluster • Settled for 24 hours in stainless steel tanks and then racked into 45% new French oak barrels • 1/2 inoculated, 1/2 natural yeast fermentation • Primary fermentation lasted until the end of February • Bâtonnage was weekly through mid-January • Malolactic fermentation occurred naturally and finished in March • Wine was aged on gross lees until August in 45% new French oak, then barrels were stirred with the lees and transferred to stainless steel tanks for 4 months until bottling in January, total aging 15 months • Wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered
Tasting Notes Alma Rosa’s estate vineyard, El Jabali, was originally planted in 1983 by winery founder Richard Sanford. In the glass, the 2021 El Jabali Chardonnay shines with an alluring bright yellow hue. "Vivid" and "bright" succinctly capture the essence of this wine, both on the nose and palate. On the nose, the wine shows lively notes of lemon zest and peel, fresh herbs and sea salt. Its oceanic profile embodies the distinctive characteristics of wines from the Sta. Rita Hills. The palate unveils an immediate burst of vibrant acidity followed by layers of apple, lemon, and more herbaceousness. Pronounced salinity provides a lingering, mouthwatering finish to this mediumbodied Chardonnay, a testament to the incredible 2021 vintage in the Sta. Rita Hills.
James Suckling: 94 Points
Vinous: 93 Points
"The 2020 Chardonnay El Jabali marries richness with energy, tension and brightness. Lemon confit, white flowers, mint and chalk add an attractive upper register to balance all of the natural intensity of the fruit.”
Wine Enthusiast
Honeyed aromas of toasted cashew, cantaloupe balls and lemon bar make for a ripe nose on this estate bottling. The palate is crisper and cleaner, offering stonefruit and wet stone flavors.
