2021 Chardonnay, Colorado - 90pts The Wine Advocate, May 2023, 91pts Decanter Magazine, May 2023
Winemaker
Ben Parsons
Grapes
100% Chardonnay, Box Bar Vineyard
Vineyard
Box Bar is a cool growing site located just south of Cortez, CO on the slopes of the Sleeping Ute Mountain that overlooks Mesa Verde National Park. It sits directly above the Yucca House National Monument known as an important center for Ancestral Pueblo people from 1150 to 1300. Yucca House preserves one of the largest archaeological sites in SW Colorado. The vineyard itself is littered with ancient pottery shards and an unexcavated Kiva sits amidst the rows. At 6500ft elevation this is one of the highest vineyard sites in Colorado. It is naturally farmed with no cover crops, no artificial fertilizers or sprays and is weeded by hand. Average yield is 3 tons per acre. The Box Bar sits on rocky, rugged ground that creates wines with remarkable depth of flavor and intensity.
Winemaking Notes
Hand harvested on September 14th. Whole cluster press to stainless steel. Fermentation at 65f in tank till 12 brix then down to 2 yr old French Oak. Batonnage sur lees for 7mths. No ML.
Tasting Notes
White peach and Meyer lemon on the nose, this chardonnay is lean and focused with a mineral core and great acidity.
Numbers
RS: <0.1gl/ Alc: 13.05%/ pH: 3.44/ TA: 7.4gl
Case Production
375
