2017 Fullerton Wines Five Faces Chardonnay
Willamette Valley,
Oregon
12% alcohol
Screwcap closure
560 cases produced
Native yeast
Winemaker Alex Fullerton whole-cluster pressed the Chardonnay grapes, then transferred the juice into French oak barrels, with just 10% being new. No yeast was added, allowing for spontaneous fermentation over the cool winter months. With 100% malolactic fermentation, the wine spent 17 months on the lees (skins) before bottling. Both the extended lees contact and malo contribute to this wine’s weighty mouthfeel. Often, full malo can make a wine very buttery, yet this Chardonnay still retained lovely tart notes.
Color:
Sunshine yellow
Bouquet:
Exotic aromas of ripe pineapples and mangos combined with citrusy lemons and lemongrass. A second whiff revealed minerally fresh rain with earthy notes of charred marshmallows.
Palate:
With a tart, yet weighty mouthfeel, this Chardonnay tasted of lemons, pineapples, and passionfruit. Mineral notes of gravel dust artfully transitioned into a long, lemon zest finish.
Food pairing suggestions:
Asian turkey lettuce cups, lobster rolls, zucchini-studded potato pancakes.
SRP $36