Cruse Wine Co. 'Rorick Vineyard' Chardonnay, Sierra Foothills, California 2023
Cruse Wine Co. 'Rorick Vineyard' Chardonnay, Sierra Foothills, California 2023
This wine is proof that there is GOOD Chardonnay in California for those of us who don't want the heavy and over-oaked Napa style. This stuff drinks like southern white Burgundy.
Michael Cruse was educated as a biochemist before undertaking his wine career, and he started Cruse Wine in 2013. As a California native, he knows a lot of good growers who farm without chemicals, and grow grapes with freshness and acidity. This wine is from a single organic vineyard up in the Sierra Foothills AVA, northeast of Napa and Sonoma, which has more elevation and cooler nights due to the inland location. Michael has a light touch in the cellar to let the grapes speak for themselves, not interfering with new oak or additives. The wine still has richness, and shows off the terroir, but it's a much different side of California that I believe more people need to give a chance.
"This wine comes from a unique site high in the Sierra Foothills just outside of the town of Murphys. The own-rooted vines were planted in the late sixties in schist soils over a limestone bedrock. The vine age, elevation, and rocky soils create incredibly low yielding vines with the tiniest of clusters. The grapes were hand harvested and gently pressed using a long Champagne press cycle. Juice was transferred to neutral barrels and fermentation occurred spontaneously. Long slow barrel fermentations with no added sulfur. Bottled after 10 months in barrel with approximately 30 ppm total sulfur added." - Coeur Wine Co.
Pairing: Roast chicken with herbed potatoes, Baked fluke with butter and lemon
Grape: Chardonnay
Viticulture: Organic
Regular price
$3200 USD
$32.00 USD
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