Product Description
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McIntyre Family Wines, Estate Vineyard, Chardonnay, 2022, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, California, America
Producer Profile
McIntyre Family Wines lies in the “sweet spot” of Monterey County’s Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. Originally planted in 1973, the 80-acre site (60 acres planted) boasts some of the Highlands’ oldest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines.
Proprietor Steve McIntyre is one of the most knowledgeable viticulturists in California. As owner/operator of Monterey Pacific, he farms 16,000 acres in Monterey County.
The McIntyre Estate Vineyard was among the first properties in the Santa Lucia Highlands to be SIP (Sustainability In Practice) Certified, using numerous holistic regenerative practices including carbon sequestration with Biochar produced by slow pyrolysis.
Viticulture
All great wines are made in the vineyard. With that in mind, Steve created an intensive farming regime that takes full advantage of the weather, soils and exposures at each of the vineyard sites. All vines are vertical shoot positioned (VSP) with rows oriented along a north/south axis to ensure even sun exposure throughout the day. The team favour harvesting the Chardonnay block twice each season. The first pick at 22.5-23.5 brix to capture the ripe pear and citrus notes and then again at 24-25 brix for the apricot and peach components. The blend of the two picks provides for great complexity!
Winemaking
At McIntyre, winemaking techniques are minimalistic. The philosophy being of “thoughtful but limited intervention” guarantees that the character and complexity of the fruit is highlighted in all their wines. To ensure a completed and more compelling Chardonnay, fruit was harvested on multiple dates. The early picks contributed refreshing acids, green apple, and ripe pear. The later provided viscosity, citrus, and ripe tropical fruit. Primary and malolactic fermentations were managed naturally using the wild, indigenous yeast strains that thrive in our vineyards. This wine features Dijon clone 76 and some clone 528.
Tasting Note
“Great wines speak to both sides of your brain. They are cerebral yet artistic, rational yet hedonistic. Take our 2022 McIntyre Estate Vineyard Chardonnay. For the analytical left side, there is precision, structure and minerality. For the intuitive right side, there is texture, opulence and concentration. For both sides there are lush impressions of white blossoms, lemon marmalade and grilled almonds.” – Steve McIntyre
Goes well with
The best pairings match its creamy texture, using dishes like roasted chicken, seared salmon, rich shellfish, or creamy pasta.
Cellaring
3 to 7 years from the vintage date. Because it is a premium, oak-aged estate wine from the cool Santa Lucia Highlands, it has the structure and acidity to age gracefully, typically peaking between 3 and 5 years, with the potential to develop complex secondary characteristics if stored properly.
Don’t just take our word for it…
“A lighter colour in the glass, this bottling offers fresh pear and gardenia aromas on the crystal clean nose. There’s a tense, chalky structure to the palate, where bright apple and lime flavours align.” 93 POINTS — Matt Kettmann, Wine Enthusiast
Features
Varieties: Chardonnay 100%
Colour: White
ABV: 14.5%
Closure: Natural Cork
Style: Still
Case Size: 12 x 75cl
Country: America
Region: Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, California
Vintage: 2022
