2023 Bismark Chardonnay 750ml

Vineyard: The Sonoma Volcanics and Bismark Mountain Vineyard therein are recently formed as far as geologic time goes, erupting five million years ago. The geology in the vineyard proper manifests itself as a heterogeneous mix of white Rhyolitic rock and Tuff (cemented ash), dark Andesite and Basalt, and the thin soils derived from them. This volcanic soil has a direct and demonstrable influence on grapes grown there. Soils derived from Rhyolite are high in available potassium. Due to the potassium, both the titratable acidity and the pH in the juice and resulting wine are high. Our Bismark Mountain vineyard is high in the Moon Mountain District, above the city of Sonoma and the San Pablo Bay. Here, on the southwestern flanks of the Mayacamas Mountains amid 67 acres of red grapes, we also grow 1000 vines of Chardonnay and 100 vines of Riesling. The Chardonnay was grafted onto a mixed block of Sangiovese and Syrah in 2009.

Vintage 2023: A wet winter followed by a cool spring and summer allowed clusters to size above expectations. Continued moderate temperatures in summer resulted in slow ripening and a harvest that was a month later than 2022, with moderate acid and fresh flavors. Unlike 2022, we had no heat waves. We harvested the Chard on September 18, 2023, at an average 22.6 o Brix, TA 0.84 g/100 mL and pH of 3.42.

Winemaking: We pressed the five tons of Chardonnay as whole clusters, to collect the first 151 gallons per ton of limpid juice, devoid of bitterness. Non-Saccharomyces yeasts were added at the press in lieu of sulfur dioxide. The juice was cold settled and racked to barrels where it underwent non-inoculated fermentation and subsequent malo-lactic fermentation. It was barrel fermented in new to one-year-old barrels. The wine was sur lie aged for 16 months (with one racking in 2024 to assess lees) before blending in March 2025 and bottling in April 2025. 100% barrel fermented, and aged 16 months on lees in 100% French oak: 17% new coopered by Treuil, and 50% six-month-old coopered by Treuil and Billon.

Tasting Notes: A brilliant winter wheat gold color, Bismark Chardonnay perennially balances freshness, ripeness, and minerality. Almond blossoms, pears and lemon abound in the aromas and are echoed in the flavors, along with chrysanthemum tea, nutmeg and oyster shells. Extended lees aging offers a lithe, lush mouthfeel that is ever inviting. (Tasted 5/14/2025)

 

Variety

100% Chardonnay,

 

Vineyard Location

Bismark Mountain block 14. Wente clones on 110R

 

Age of Vines

Planted 1993, grafted 2009

 

Alcohol 13.2%

 

pH 3.50

 

Titratable Acidity (TA)

0.59 g/100 mL

 

Residual Sugar

0.26%

 

Harvest Date

September 18, 2023

 

Brix at Harvest 22.6o

 

Ferment. Temp.

Cellar Temp ~58 o F

 

Malolactic Fermentation 100%

Length/Type of Aging

100% barrel fermented in French oak. 16 months on lees in 17% new barrels coopered by Treuil, and 50% six-month-old by Billon and Treuil

 

Bottling Date

April 18, 2025

 

Number of Cases

148

 

Vegan