2021 Chardonnay Reserve
The 2021 Chardonnay Reserve strikes an impressive balance of rich barrel-aged character and vibrant fruit flavors. It opens with complex aromas of golden apple, honeydew melon, butterscotch and lemon curd. A round, luscious texture delivers mouthfilling flavors of tropical pineapple and stone fruits with notes of spicy vanilla and citrus zest. An elegantly weighted finish unfolds with fresh acidity and lingering hints of caramel.
In Stock
Wine Specs
Vintage
2021
Varietal
Chardonnay
Appellation
Santa Ynez Valley
Acid
.56
pH
3.58
Aging
18 months in French oak barrels (30% new)
Alcohol %
14.7
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
The 2021 Chardonnay Reserve strikes an impressive balance of rich barrel-aged character and vibrant fruit flavors. It opens with complex aromas of golden apple, honeydew melon, butterscotch and lemon curd. A round, luscious texture delivers mouthfilling flavors of tropical pineapple and stone fruits with notes of spicy vanilla and citrus zest. An elegantly weighted finish unfolds with fresh acidity and lingering hints of caramel.
Vineyard Notes
The 35-acre Brick Barn estate vineyard lies just north of the Santa Ynez River in a largely unexplored winegrowing corridor near the city of Buellton in the western Santa Ynez Valley. Here, persistent sun exposure ensures ripe flavors, while the Pacific Ocean—just 10 miles away—delivers daily cooling that maintains fruit acidity and structure. This 2020 Chardonnay Reserve comes from Blocks 5 and 6 along the lower portion of the estate. Here, sandy riverbed soils foster pure varietal character in our Chardonnay. Block 5 is planted to Clone 4, which sets the tone with luscious tropical fruit flavors. Block 6 is planted to Clone 809, which brings complementary notes of stone fruits and vibrant acidity.
Winemaker Notes
The grapes were harvested at night and pressed in the early morning. After cold settling, the juice was fermented in stainless steel over a period of 14 days. After fermentation, the new wine was then racked off the lees into 30-percent new French oak barrels, where it aged for 18 months. Lees inclusion and secondary ML fermentation were avoided to maintain a vivid sense of fruit freshness and purity while gaining the textures and flavors of extended barrel aging. At the conclusion of aging, Winemaker Adrian Bolshoi assembled the final blend to create this special reserve selection.
Food Pairing Notes
The richly flavorful yet elegant 2020 Chardonnay Reserve is a great match for fresh lobster, grilled shrimp, chicken risotto and creamy pastas.
Other Notes
Our 2021 Chardonnay Reserve is a limited-edition showcase for Chardonnay from the Brick Barn estate, exhibiting remarkable character from extended aging in premium French oak barrels.