Description
Over 30 years of experience working with chardonnay and pinot noir have established La Crema as a winery of consistent quality in the USA. La Crema produces wines from top cool-climate appellations to include; Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, Monterey and most recently Willamette. The unifying factors of all these sites are their cool, windy climates and marine-based soils.
La Crema’s vineyards are all harvested by hand in the cooler morning hours. The winemaking techniques are primarily traditional with modern enhancements to ensure that the wines are true to both the variety and the terroir. Chardonnays are whole-cluster pressed and fermented and aged in French oak on the lees with bi-monthly battonage to add texture and complexity. The Pinot Noirs are cold soaked for five to eight days before fermentation in small, open-top fermenters and aged in a combination of new and used French oak barrels. As with the Chardonnay, La Crema’s Pinot Noirs are pure, accurate and reflective of their origin.
Outstanding vineyard sources, limited yields and artisanal wine making produce wines that receive high acclaim.
From the winemaker, Jennifer Walsh “Our original name, La Crema Vinera, means “best of the vine,” setting the standard for all we do since 1979. Our family-owned and operated winery focuses exclusively on cool-climate appellations, passionate in our belief that they make uniquely expressive and elegant wines.”
A long, long valley, both pastoral and austere. On one end, the Monterey Bay— dramatically deep, unusually cold. On the other, Central California, rich in history and agriculture. Throughout, a brisk, ever-present breeze that rises from the ocean and cools both fields of produce and expansive, rolling vineyards. This is Monterey—rocky, windswept and unrestrained.
The 2019 growing season in Monterey was relatively cool, with persistent fog and overcast skies. Summer temperatures were mild and a continuation of the more traditional weather conditions observed in 2018. Fruit set nicely and led to an average-sized crop load. Ripening proceeded slowly and gave the grapes ample time to develop rich and concentrated flavours while retaining vibrant and juicy acidity.
After the grapes were picked, they were gently pressed and allowed to settle for 24 hours before being racked to a mix of French and American oak barrels for fermentation. 15% of the barrels were con-inoculated with a house strain of malolactic bacteria which were later used to top of the remainder of the barrels after primary fermentation was completed. A small portion of the wine was racked to stainless steel tanks for fermentation which added an element of juicy acidity and aromatics to the finished wine. Lees were stirred monthly to increase complexity and mouthfeel. The finished wine was aged for six and a half months in oak barrels before final blending and bottling.
100% Chardonnay. Notes from Craig McAllister, Winemaker: “Aromas of baked apple, brioche and pineapple are followed by flavours of Asian pear, lemon-tangerine and notes of minerality. The 2019 vintage presents balanced acidity and a long finish.”
Review of 2018 from Gary Walsh, the Wine Front “A lot of people ask me, and Campbell, and Mike, for a ripe and creamy Chardonnay that delivers a bit of Old Skool flavour. I’m often stuck for a recommendation, but this wine surely fits the bill. It has the peach, pineapple and cream, and silky buttery gloss of flavour, but keeps itself pretty trim all up, and balanced, and also sports some savoury toasty wood and spice. Finish is solid. You have folds of flavour, and ease of drinking. It does old school Chardonnay very nicely. 90 points.
RRP $42 Our Price $34.99
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