Labeled Appellation

Royal Slope

Varietal Composition

100% Chardonnay

Tasting Notes

The 2021 La Reyna Chardonnay shows lavishly in the glass as wildflower honey and goldenrod yellow lead to bright aromatics of pineapple, green walnut, candy corn, and limoncello. The palate is dense and voluptuous with a sweet fruit expression of pink lemonade and pomelo, leading to rock salt and croissant. Ripe tropical fruits, lemon curd, and oyster shell meld together for a gorgeous finish.

Food Pairing Recommendations

The 2021 wine vintage had below average winter precipitation, with early budbreak in late March, normal to slightly early bloom in late May and early June, and small clusters with generally low yields. The heat dome event of late June was the most defining weather event of the vintage, resulting in higher sugars but lagging flavor development and phenolic ripeness. Acidity was relatively low compared to average. Cool Fall temperatures allowed for flavor to catch up while sugar accumulation plateaued. White wines from this vintage are ripe and rich, while red wines are intensely concentrated with great structure. Vineyards used sustainable farming practices with reduced yields to concentrate flavors and encourage complete expressions of ripeness. Chardonnay Clones used were 76, 95, and 96. The fruit was brought in cold, fermented slowly in barrels, stirred on its lees every week. The wine underwent full malolactic fermentation, and was bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Vinification

100% Barrel fermented in various format size, cool and slow for between 2-4 months. Aged in 76% new French oak and 24% used French oak of various format size for 20 months.