2010 Chardonnay 750

Here is the new classic we have all been striving for: a clean, dry, downright racy chardonnay. How do we get those bracing citrusy lime/Clementine notes in the nose? Picking just slightly under our historic ripeness levels. How do we keep the wine refreshing? NO malo-lactic, preserving all the green apple acidity native to our vineyard source. How is the wine paired with pristine fish fillets or a huge pile of crab claws? Priceless.

The 2010 growing season began wet and cool. Heavy rains replenished the limestone soils allowing them to soak up to their unique high water holding capacity. Spring was delayed, but was calm and consistent, with no frost issues. Bud break came late due to the cold winter and mild spring. A dry May segued into moderately cool early summer months. August finally brought on the heat, but the uncommonly cool previous months made for the latest harvest of our white grapes in JUSTIN history. The late, cool vintage allowed the soft harvest sun to slowly marry ripe varietal characters with bright, fresh acidity.

For every new vintage, we celebrate the differences nature brings us by commissioning a different artist to create the art portion of our label for all our varietally labeled wines. Our objective is for the artist's interpretation of the winery to give visual embellishment to the exciting liquid within. Although we only slightly modify our vineyard practices and winemaking techniques from year to year, each year our wines express uniquely the style and careful selection within that vintage. Art is very much part of the JUSTIN brand, and of the way we grow and make wine.