2020 GOWC Coles Valley Vyd Umpqua Valley Chardonnay

13.9

Our Coles Valley Chardonnay is pale gold in color and offers vivid aromas of Meyer lemon, yellow apple, and tropical pineapple, with hints of lemongrass and apple blossom. Flavors continue this theme with a round, creamy texture and moderate weight. The dry finish focuses on the fruit and herbal notes with a suggestion of clay soils. Enjoy chilled.

Coles Valley Vineyard - 100%

Vineyard Information: Coles Valley Vineyard, along the Umpqua River in Southern Oregon is a spectacular site for growing Chardonnay. Hot days and cold nights are the hallmark of this vineyard. Gentle slope and aspect work together to capture the heat necessary for ripening, while the influence of the coastal breeze moving up the river helps cool the site in the evening, preserving acidity and focusing fruit flavors.

The grapes for this single vineyard Chardonnay were handpicked, lightly pressed, and fermented separately by block and clone in neutral oak barrels. Malolactic fermentation was completed and the wine was aged sur lie in barrel for nine months. The separate lots were racked and blended with the intent of expressing the unique character of the vineyard before being filtered and bottled.

2020 began with a cool, wet spring. Budbreak took place normally, but rain during bloom caused yields to be low, leading to focused, concentrated flavors. A cooler than normal July and August helped the fruit ripen slowly and evenly, with a warming trend in early September just in time to finish the vintage at Coles. We picked these grapes in perfect weather in early September.