2020 Tin Shack Chardonnay, Spear Vineyard

For 2020, our Tin Shack Chardonnay is once again being sourced from the new and absolutely stunning Spear Vineyard.  We continue to stick with our section of clone 96 because of its even ripening quality and because of the steep, north facing hillside it’s planted on.  The clone 96 is a good balance of rich Chardonnay flavor and a bright citrus-oriented acid profile.  This wine was fermented in stainless steel and then spent a year in neutral French oak barrels to help soften its crisp acidity and add flavor and aroma from its time on the lees.  After a crazy year with harvest in the midst of COVID lockdowns and the worst wildfire season in California history it’s hard to remember how terrific the season was for us in the Sta. Rita Hills.  Naturally low yields and cooperative weather allowed us to pick with relatively perfect numbers and the beautiful balance of the resulting wines is proof of an otherwise excellent year.  As we often see with vineyards as they mature and evolve, the 2020 Chardonnay is a somewhat more powerful wine than previous vintages yet maintains its fresh acidity and bright character.  This is an intriguing, complex wine that deserves good food and some time in the glass.