AROMAS & FLAVORS
The 2022 Steel Chardonnay boasts notes of pretty white peach and ripe nectarine with lean, crisp Chablis-inspired acidity and a finish of fresh lemon zest. This refreshing Chardonnay is the perfect wine to pair with a warm summer evening and oysters on half shell by the ocean.
VINEYARDS & WINEMAKING
The grapes for this wine were hand picked in the cool, early morning hours to retain fruit integrity. After whole cluster pressing, the juice was fermented in stainless steel tanks using a special yeast strain that is ideal for cool-climate Chardonnay. To emphasize freshness, varietal purity and regional character, malolactic fermentation was prevented.
VINTAGE
The prominent event of vintage 2022 was an unprecedented heat wave that occurred September 1-8, with temperatures reaching 106 degrees. Industry wide, we have referred to this anomaly as the “heat dome.” As harvest progressed, we experienced a bit of rain, lightning, and humidity pressure from Hurricane Kay mid-September. Mother Nature dealt us a surprising number of challenging weather circumstances, but overall, 2022 delivered beautifully balanced, light-bodied wines.
