2022 Allbaer Là Haut White | Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley California 750ml

Planted in 1973, on its own roots, Block L in Bien Nacido is an iconic site on the Central Coast. Back in 2015 while working for Clos Selene I had the opportunity to visit and work with the fruit. Then, a particular block of Chardonnay was going to the esteemed house Sine Qua Non - just adjacent to Guillaume's parcel. In 2018 I had the chance to work with that same fruit while in Ventura. It was one of our favorite lots of the vintage and I knew if there was ever an opportunity to make Chardonnay for ALLBAER, it would come from here. In 2022, that opportunity presented itself.
Our final pick of 2022 was fermented in one stainless steel vessel, one neutral barrel, and two new French oak barrels. After a very long and cold fermentation, we then topped the barrels with the wine from the stainless steel drum. This beauty went through 10 months of elevage in 66.6% new French Oak and 33.3% seasoned French Oak. Regular stirring and 100 percent malic fermentation allowed us to bottle this puppy unfined, and unfiltered. (A nod to John, and the Newton classic). | ALLBAER

...a fresh yet concentrated, richer style in its citrus and orchard fruits as well as background oak. I like its mid-palate depth, it has outstanding length, and it's going to come together nicely... | 91-93+, Jeb Dunnuck for jebdunnuck.com