J. Lohr Estates Riverstone Chardonnay Arroyo Seco - Monterey

HARVEST
The 2020 growing season was characterised by a cool spring in the Arroyo Seco. Cool mornings and nights and fog, with summer daytime highs in the 80s, provided optimal weather for Chardonnay ripening.
The moderate temperatures and the characteristic afternoon winds meant that ripening was slow, which meant extra time on the vine, necessary to optimise flavours and textures. Harvest began with an early harvest on 21 September and the rest from 6 October to 5 November. Our Riverstone Chardonnay features the debut of a newly planted "Mt. Eden" clone. Originating from
late 19th century in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the Mt. Eden clone is known for its tight clusters and concentrated fruit expression. With this addition, the Riverstone Chardonnay is now composed of ten
Chardonnay clones: 4, 5, 17, 76, 95, 96, 548, 809, Hyde-Wente and Mt.
VINEYARDS
The vines of our J. Lohr Estates Riverstone Chardonnay are grown primarily on underlying Elder loam soils.
by "river stones" deposited over thousands of years by the Arroyo Seco river. These stones limit the depth of the soil
from one to four feet, although some roots are found at greater depths. This unique combination of sandy loam and cobbles keeps the vines and fruit growing in balance, while the cool climate and winds of the Salinas Valley prolong the growing season, preserving the grapes' natural acids and the intense varietal character of Chardonnay.
VINIFICATION
Malolactic: 50% of malolactic fermentation in barrels
Maturation: Fermented in barrel and stirred weekly by hand for 7 to 9 months in new to fifth-fill oak barrels.
Type of cask: American, Hungarian and French oak