Aether, 'La Rinconada' Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills, California, 2019

Overview of the Wine
We have all the instruments and algorithms that modern vintners use, and these are helpful for making the wine hold together in the bottle. We see to the technical components, the raw materials, fruit, sourcing, uniqueness of terroir; all of the observational, empirical inputs that can be captured in a spreadsheet. But wine has ideas of its own.

What begins as naked elements puts on character with age. Wine has culture that can be cultivated or interrupted from moment to moment and hour to hour. With just enough warmth and care and lightness of hand, it develops soul. Not unlike you or me. Great wine is part biochemistry and part neurochemistry. There can be subliminal, subconscious responses to wine that remove it from the realm of a beverage and elevate it to something with the capacity to deliver a transcendent experience.

Grape / Blend
Chardonnay

Origin
Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara, California

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Full bodied yet balanced wines across the board and this Chardonnay lands squarely into that camp. Luxurious yet lively and lithe, flavorful and exotic but still friendly and familiar. Aromas of beeswax, blossoms and oyster shells frame an elegant and supple palate. 

Technicals
Block/ Clone : Wente 15
Harvest : Sept 15,  2019
Brix: 22.5
Processing: Grapes whole-cluster pressed
Juice settled and cooled  for 48 hours
Primary & Malolactic Fermentation : Indigenous
in barrel - 100% neutral French oak
Elevage: Sur lies- 22 months
Additions: None except periodic SO2
Battonage: Once after primary
Racking: Only at bottling
Bottle prep: Bentonite fining/ pad filtration

95 Points - Ian Blackburn
Noble vineyard designation results in a wine of amazing balance, tenderness, focus and vibration… there is something magic about this vineyard and this winery allowed that magic to shine.  Color is brilliant and fresh, weight is appropriate and elevated, nose is balanced between optimal varietal fruit character and terroir… with a limestone, sand, rock element that supports the nose, and mouth.  In the background likes a playful salted carmel green apple and elements of orchard fruit like white peach.  Great balance extends to the tender finish - this wine is ready to drink but will add weight over the next 5 years or more.  Color 14.5, Aroma 23.5, Body 23.5, Overall 33.5 = 95 points 

94 Points - Lisa Perrotti Brown
The 2019 Chardonnay La Rinconada Vineyard needs a little shaking and swirling to bring out delicate notes of honeysuckle, lemon drops, and juicy apples plus wafts of wet pebbles, baker's yeast and Marcona almonds. The medium-bodied palate is lively and elegantly styled, with a refreshing line and long chalky finish.

Product size: 750ml