2002 CHARDONNAY CLOS PEPE
Santa Rita Hills

Making Clos Pepe chardonnay has been a real winemaking challenge. The Santa Rita Hills area is very cool, and the chardonnay here ripens late and retains exceptionally high acidity. We've had to take a fundamentally different view on how this wine should be made because the grapes are quite different from almost any others grown in California. I think you will find this chardonnay quite different. Only now are our 1999 and 2000 vintages beginning to taste great, so some patience is required in order to enjoy them at their peak. Unlike the typically soft, fruity and sweet character of most California chardonnays, this one is zippy and mineral-y. It isn't a cocktail wine; it was made to show itself off best with food. Our best effort yet!