Chanin - Chardonnay Los Alamos 2015

Price: $42.99

Producer	Chanin
Country	United States
Region	California
Subregion	Los Alamos
Varietal	Chardonnay
Vintage	2015
Sku	P-26714

About the Winery: Chanin Wine Co. is dedicated to crafting wines from Santa Barbara County that reflect the individual vineyard in which they are grown. They focus on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, two grapes that are especially revealing of subtle differences in geography, geology and climate. Chanin’s grapes are grown in Santa Barbara County, where cool coastal winds, diverse marine based soils and a long growing season provide an exciting and unique environment for Burgundian varieties. The vineyards are the focus of all of their wines and each wine is made from grapes grown at one vineyard and not blended. Chanin searches out old vines, and makes wine from some of the oldest vines in the county. This allows them to make refreshingly balanced wines at lower alcohol levels than most California “blockbuster” or “cult” styled wines. Through low yields, improved farming techniques and gentle winemaking, the Chanin team aims to create a wine that pairs well with food and is delicious young, but is also age-worthy. All of their vineyards are organic or sustainably farmed.

Chanin’s winemaking philosophy is rooted in representing each individual vineyard by emphasizing balance, finesse, and complexity. They avoid excessive alcohol, and modern winemaking additives (such as commercial yeasts, bacteria, enzymes) that can overshadow vineyard characteristics. Additionally, they do not filter their wines or use intrusive wine processing machines. The goal is to grow grapes that are so healthy none of the above is needed.

About the Wine: These grapes were hand harvested early in the mornings of August 15th and 20th. They were pressed and directly put into French oak barrels (15% new) to ferment. The wine stayed there for 15 months on its lees and was then racked and lightly fined before being bottled unfiltered in March of 2017. This Los Alamos Vineyard Chardonnay brings me back to the classic Chardonnays from this vineyard. The nose and the palate show generous amounts of citrus, with lemon custard being the most apparent. The palate is very rich and intense with the characteristic briny quality that we typically expect from Los Alamos. The richness of this wine is balanced by its mouthwatering acidity and a touch of new oak. Over all this is one of our most classic Los Alamos Chardonnays.

Stephen Tanzer: 93 Points

"Gavin Chanin's 2015 Chardonnay Los Alamos Vineyard captures a striking middle ground that expresses both the richness of the year and the focus that is possible from this site. As always, the flavors are bright and focused, but there is quite a bit of textural depth and richness. This is very nicely done."–Vinous

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