The Sleepy Hollow estate vineyard sits on bench land in the Santa Lucia Highlands, facing east-northeast to soak up morning sun. This Chardonnay derives mostly from Old Wente clone vines planted there in 1972. The fruit was barrel fermented in French oak, partly new, and sat on lees for a little less than a year.
The fragrance is bright and tropical, offering pineapple, yellow stone fruit, and lemon cream, but it has an engaging slick of wet slate, too. The acidity modest but the body feels satiny and concentrated, with elegant peach-tropical flavors and a dash of white spice. Pair it with richer fish and poultry, medium-aged cheeses, and creamy pasta.
14.3% abv | $42 (sample)
