Our estate vineyard in Paso Robles has two distinct sites for Chardonnay, situated on the extreme western and eastern portions of the property. The eastern portion has a higher elevation and tends to crop with lower yields while the western block is flatter and crops consistently higher. The parcels are quite different and allow a variety of flavors to choose from when we compile our blends. The eastern side of the vineyard ripens slightly ahead of the west and produces softer, more forward characters with the western grown fruit shows a more elegant structure with fresher natural acidity.
The PULL series of wines are focused on its affinity with food and the correct balance and structure are critical. It is not our goal to produce the ripest and most alcoholic wines but rather to interpret the true flavors of each variety and gently usher them through fermentation, blending and finally bottling. With this in mind, the final blend selected emphasizes the more subtle varietal characteristics of the Chardonnay grape. There are many of the tropical fruits present but with an emphasis on those of a more citrus nature. The balancing natural acidity allows far more flexibility with successful wine and food parings.
The wine has a subtle oak background. A percentage of the wine was matured in brand new French oak Hogsheads (300L) prior to being back blended with the remaining juice. This has the effect of the wine finishing with a touch of firmness that corresponds to the acidity. The oak shows as spice rather than nutty, further adding another layer of complexity.