2014 Argot ‘Simpatico Ranch’ Chardonnay

roduced from Old-Wente clone selection, the 2014 Chardonnay Simpatico Ranch is barrel fermented and uses 100% malolactic, with 19 months in French oak, 50% new. It has a pleasantly “wild” nose of baker’s yeast and salt-crusted almonds with a core of grapefruit, white peaches and orange peel plus a waft of honeysuckle. The palate is tightly-knit and medium-bodied with plenty of intensity and savory / citrus layers, finishing long and yeasty. As an addendum, I just loved this wine and monitored its progress for several days. It is incredibly stable and in fact just got better and better!

One of the coldest Chardonnay vineyards in Sonoma County, each vintage Simpatico Ranch tracks up to 2 weeks behind the county average in ripening.  Using this cool-climate “canvas”, we employ a Meursault-inspired, winemaking regimen to create a one-of-a-kind California Chardonnay.  Simpatico Ranch delivers a distinctly cool climate fruit profile, leaning towards lemon curd and key lime pie.  The significant natural acidity invigorates the mid, conjuring feral notes of fennel, fresh-cut hay, flint and raw popcorn kernels.  The huge finish crescendos into notes of brioche, panna cotta and almond paste.
Vineyard was planted in 1978 in the volcanic soils and gently-sloped, south-facing foothills of Bennett Peak on Bennett Valley’s floor. 100% Chardonnay, Old-Wente selection
Night harvested by hand on 9/24, whole-cluster pressed direct to barrel, no settling for maximum lees contact; barrel fermented on heavy lees; 100% malolactic fermentation
Aged 20 months in French oak, 50% new. Finished 2 months in steel tank, very low Sulphur during barrel elevage
175 cases produced.