Las Nenas 2021 Chardonnay

Santa Maria Valley, California  |  Tinaquaic Vineyard

The 2021 Co^lluvial™ “Las Nenas” Tinaquaic Chardonnay bottling is grounded in the majesty of California’s Santa Maria Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area). The Santa Maria Valley AVA is a very cool growing area in California, classified as Region 1. The appellation’s terroir is a combination of rocky soils, cool climate and ocean influence. The fruit is drawn from the Tinaquaic Vineyard which was planted in 1989 by the Foxen “Boys”, Billy Wathen and Dick Dore. Foxen’s Tinaquaic Vineyard, is the area’s only dry-farmed vineyard meaning, it receives absolutely no irrigation. All vines are own-rooted and all its 10 acres are meticulously farmed by Billy Wathen and his crew. The soil composition ranges from sandy to clay loam and its planted primarily to Chardonnay with smaller amounts of Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. There is one variable that is consistent at this site… no matter what weather challenges Billy and the crew are confronted with, they always manage to grow and extract amazing fruit that is expressive of the year’s harvest & vintage.

Tasting Notes

“Once again there is a vaguely exotic character to the white fleshed fruit aromas that are trimmed in soft wood and petrol nuances. There is fine volume to the beautifully textured and vibrant medium-bodied flavors that possess even better density while displaying fine length on the balanced, clean and nicely dry finale. This too could use better depth but a few years of keeping should help address that.” Allen Meadow’s Burghound

“Aromas of wet citrus, damp earth and compellingly flinty stone show on the nose of this bottling.  The palate is awash in tart lemon-peel flavors that pair with a warmer but still brisk touch of Asian pear. M.K., Wine Enthusiast

“From a site in the Santa Maria Valley, the 2021 Chardonnay Las Nenas Tinaquaic Vineyard has a rock-solid bouquet of honeyed pears, toasted spices, and ripe orchard fruits.  This carries to a medium-bodied, vibrant, crisp Chardonnay with some background oak, racy acidity and a clean, crisp finish.  Well-made, It’s going to benefit from a year in bottle and drink nicely through 2030.” Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com

“Really delicate nose with filigree texture and marked freshness. Much livelier than the other two 2021 Colluvial Chardonnays. Racy and refreshing. Extremely pure fruit. Jancis Robinson. JancisRobinson.com

Food Pairings

Seared Scallops, Oysters, Oysters Rockefeller or Grilled Lobster will create perfect seafood matches to this bottling. In the hearty complex Co^lluvial Tinaquaic Chardonnay will stand up perfectly to Crawfish Gumbo.