Marine Layer
2023 Aries Chardonnay
VITICULTURAL AREA
The 2023 Aries Chardonnay is a thoughtfully crafted selection of barrels sourced from our premier single vineyard Chardonnays, showcasing the finest expressions from key sub-AVAs within the revered Sonoma Coast. Included are key vineyard sites in the GreenValley and Petaluma Gap sub-AVAs, complemented by our very own Marine Layer Vineyard Chardonnay nestled in the Sebastopol Hills. These sites, characterized by their foggy, cool evenings, distinctive microclimates, and varied soil compositions, collectively define the sought-after terroir of the Sonoma Coast. Bright and vibrant, yet mineral-driven and nuanced.
VINIFICATION
Hand-picked at night, whole cluster direct to press. Cold settled for 24 hours, then put into oak puncheon and barrel, 25% new. Cool native ferment at 58-60°F for 10-14 days. Spontaneous/native fermentation; the wine undergoes 100% malolactic. Gentle lees stirring once per month. After aging 11 months, the blend is assembled and racked gently to tank. Unfined and lightly filtered.
TASTING NOTES
The 2023 Aries Chardonnay dazzles with a bright pale straw color and lively aromas of lemon confit, jasmine, and a touch of almond.On the palate, it’s a fresh burst of citrus, white peach, and lime leaves, with a clean mineral backbone. The wine is crisp and vibrant, its acidity keeping it sharp and focused, while a hint of graham cracker crust adds a layer of complexity from barrel aging.With its balanced tension and verve, the 2023 vintage delivers a refined, well-rounded experience that’s both bright and structured.
PRESS - 93 JS
"Beautiful balance, great acidity and a sense of minerality bring a lot of energy to this vivid wine. It's a blend of several of their noted vineyard-designate wines. Subtle crisp-apple, Bosc-pear, almond, nutmeg and flint flavors grow on the palate and linger on the finish. "
PRESS - 93 JD
"The only wine not coming from a single vineyard, the 2023 Chardonnay Aries is a blend
of the three other vineyards. In the glass, it pours a bright yellow color and is a bit shy
on opening before it starts to reveal fresh, savory aromas of fresh pear, lemon peel, wet
stone, and fresh yellow flowers. Medium-bodied, it retains vibrant refreshing acidity, lime
zest, chalky texture, and good length."
PRESS - 93 DEC
"Mostly puncheon with a couple of concrete eggs for fermentation, with Chardonnay coming from the Marine Layer Vineyard as well as Heintz, Gap's Crown, Durrell, and Hawk Hill vineyards, along with six rows of Bohemian Vineyard. A tremendous value at under $50, this Chardonnay with intense citrus cream aromatics, with notes of canded ginger. The palate shows lush notes of pineapple, Meyer lemon and ripe mangoes with crunchy saline minerality and soaring acidity brightens the ripe fruit through to the finish."
PRESS - 92 VIN
"The 2023 Chardonnay Aries is a gorgeous appellation-level wine. Bright and focused, with notable tension, the 2023 is seriously impressive. Lemon confit, marzipan, white flowers and chalk all race out the glass. The energy of the vintage shines. This is such a classy wine.."
SEE MORE WINES FROM PRODUCER Marine Layer
DOWNLOADS
