A combination of barrel and stainless steel fermentation resulted in bright and floral aromatics, with layers of pear, apple and citrus, highlighted with a hint of vanilla. The intense fruit in this wine is beautifully integrated with refreshing acidity and French oak. Sleepy Hollow's signature mineral character and creamy textures add complexity to a long, explosive finish.
Viticulture Notes:
With very little precipitation and ideal growing conditions, the 2014 vintage offered picture-perfect rowing conditions in the Santa Lucia Highlands, delivering the third spectacular vintage in a row.
This wine is 100% estate-grown from Sleepy Hollow Vineyard, and was made using grapes from Wente clone vines ranging from twenty to forty years old. Sleepy Hollow is situated on 585 acres of benchland in the Santa Lucia Highlands, 13 miles south of Monterey. The well-drained vineyard features sparse soils comprised of sand, gravel, and granite. These soils reduce yields and create rich, concentrated flavors in the grapes. The vineyard receives morning sunlight from its east- northeast exposure, and lives much of the time in the cool fog and wind from the Pacific Ocean. With a long, cool growing season, the grapes develop the character, intensity and depth of flavor for which the vineyard has become famous.
Wine Description:
Bright and floral aromatics, with layers of pear, apple and citrus, highlighted with a hint of vanilla.
Varietal Content: 100% estate-grown Chardonnay, Sleepy Hollow Vineyard
Titratable Acidity: 0.55g/100ml
pH: 3.5
Alcohol Level: 14.3%
Light bright gold. Fresh orange, nectarine and melon scents are complemented by floral and dusty mineral notes. Smooth and expansive on the palate, offering poached pear and peach nectar flavors that pick up a subtle honeyed quality as the wine opens up. Lush and supple in style, delivering strong closing thrust and lingering hints of buttered toast and candied citrus zest.- Josh Raynolds - Vinous 92 Points
Seared yellow apple, lemon rinds and pressed white flowers show on the nose of this bottling from the pioneering winery, which was recently acquired by the Gallo family. The texture is quite steely with bountiful acidity, but the flavors are a little flat on the sip, where stone fruit and squeezed citrus show. - Wine Enthusiast Magazine 87 Points
