Bien Nacido Vineyard 2022
Bien Nacido benefits from one of the longest growing seasons in California, punctuated by warm, temperate, sunny days and cool, foggy nights and mornings. The vineyard soils are Elder series which consist of well-drained gravelly loam formed from acid shale and sandstone.
Vintage Notes
A dry winter and cool spring delayed bud break, slowing down bloom and fruit development. Warmer summer weather, however, prevailed through August, followed by an unexpected heat wave of eight days in early September. Reduced yields, a result of drought conditions over the last two years, combined with higher temperatures, have produced an expressive vintage featuring ripe, concentrated flavors.
Winemaking
Grapes were whole cluster pressed before being barrel fermented. In 2022, partial malolactic fermentation and lees stirring were key processes in creating the rich, full character of this wine that was aged for 11 months in French oak barrels, 18% new.
Wine Profile
Nose: Rich, warm nutty aromas featuring honeydew melon, lemon custard and guava are mixed with honeysuckle and nutmeg.
Palate: Medium full-bodied with broad, rich, mouthcoating fruit-focused flavors of lemon-lime, pineapple, yellow apple and nectarine with a strong finish.