2022 Chardonnay, Colorado
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 October 6th. Whole cluster press to stainless steel. Fermentation at 65f in tank till 12 brix then down to 4 yr old French Oak. Batonnage sur lees for 7mths with no SO2. 100% ML.
Tasting Notes
Ripe peach, apricot, nectarine and salted butter on the nose. A creamy mouthfeel and soft acidity feels just right with pear, butter, chamomile and ginger.
Numbers
RS: <0.1gl/ Alc: 13.7%/ pH: 3.8/ TA: 6.5gl
Case Production
375
