Buccio 2009 Chardonnay – Monterey County is the premier release for Location, Elevation & Slope’s new label, and it certainly is the finest wine to date under the Buccio name!  The Buccio line is designed to highlight the best wines from distinct appellations throughout California and present them in an attractive package at a modest price. 

Overview:  Monterey County has been known for years as one of the best value and highest quality Chardonnay counties in California.  With its varied sub-appellations that range from quite cool coastal valleys to the inland Salinas Valley’s deep fertile soil to the more desolate hills to the east, the county can produce wines with a broad spectrum of flavor profiles, all perfect tools for blending world class wines.  By focusing on the sub-appellations and their respective strengths, fully rounded and balanced Chardonnay can blossom forth from this unique coastal region.

The Vintage:  Unlike 2008, there was minimal spring frost across California's appellations this year and abundant spring rains replenished water reserves. Early summer temperatures were cool allowing acidity levels to develop well. Heat spikes towards late August and early September caused some concern but by the time harvest started grapes were generally in excellent condition.  The best descriptor for the wines vintage in Monterey is “opulent!” as long as the wines were brought in before the mid-October rains.   

 

The Wine:  Initial impact is of a huge core of classic Chardonnay fruit tones; apple and pear, some citrus quality, immediately appealing.  On the palate, the wine is rich, dense and complex; an amalgam of apple, mandarin/citrus, and doughy lees flavors.  The finish is brisk, with nice refreshing acidity balancing out the wine.

The Specifics:  This wine is a blend from four vineyard sites within the Monterey County appellation.  About 80% of the wine actually comes from the transitional Arroyo Seco sub-appellation.  With the cooling fog and winds to the north and sheltered warmer region to the south, and unbelievable dry river bed plantings for drainage, this region is perfect for producing bold, assertive and complex wines.  The other 20% of the fruit comes from central Monterey County and this wine rounded out the flavors and harmonizes the intensity of the other three sites.  Part of the wine was barrel aged on the lees, part was stainless steel fermented for acidity.  Part of the wine saw new wood barrels, another part was aged in older, more neutral barrels.  All come together in a complex and wonderfully jubilant wine.

Buccio 2009 Chardonnay – Monterey County

TA:5.3 g/L   Alc.:14.7%   pH: 3.66 VA: .35 g/L   Cases Produced:548   Bottled Oct. 9, 2010 Suggested retail: $15.00