SRH Chardonnay 2024

SRH Chardonnay is made from a distinctive 12-row, 2.46-acre vineyard block at the Olive Tree Hill vineyard. Planted in 1976 to clone P58, these rows are unique from the rest of the vineyard, in part due to their direct contact with an ancient seabed in the soil profile. The 12 rows sit in the middle of a north-facing slope, and the rows run east-west. These are our oldest Chardonnay vines and are profoundly influenced by the complex soils of clay, limestone and marine sediment.

Handpicked parcels of fruit were whole bunch pressed, settled over night, and racked to barrels for a wild yeast fermentation in French oak hogsheads; approximately 30% was new oak. Malolactic fermentation occurred on 70% of the blend, with the remainder blocked. The wine was left on lees unstirred for 10 months prior to blending and bottling.

SRH is tightly coiled and powerful, with piercing drive and searing intensity. There’s a core of concentrated citrus and stone fruit, tingling with energy and layered with a mineral edge. Still a pup, this vintage is firm, focused and crackling with potential. Built for the long haul, but already showing its pedigree.