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Mt. Pajaro is the sixth Santa Cruz Mountain vineyard and the most recent addition to the Rhys estate vineyard portfolio.
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Winemaker: Jeff Brinkman
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Farming: Organic
- Variety: Chardonnay
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Terroir: 18 acre vineyard with very dense, tightly spaced grapevines selected from their best experimental blocks at Alpine vineyard. 717'-980' above sea level. Topsoils range from 12" to 18" over brown and black shale.
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Vinification: Hand-harvested, cold soaked, whole cluster pressed, native-yeast fermentation and resting for 1 year in barrel, 15% of which is new French oak. Natural malolactic fermentation, no racking or battonage.
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Aging: Elevage for 1 year in 15% new French oak on gross lees, then moved to stainless steel tank for 6-8 months before bottling.
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Tasting Notes: Lean, with intense oyster-shell salinity and bright orchard fruit, lemon curd, plus white peaches, honeysuckle, and tarragon, with a complex and tightly woven palate. Long-aging ability.
- Scores: Wine Advocate: 92, Vinous: 92, Jeb Dunnick: 93+