2018 Chalone Vineyard Estate Chardonnay Musqué, Chalone AVA
Winemaker Notes
“Chalone isn’t a label; it’s a place on earth.” The wines speak to the limestone and decomposed granite soils that are specific
to this wild, isolated mountain plateau in Monterey County. The low-nutrient soils make the vines struggle and give the
wines unique minerality; the diurnal temperature swings and cool winds retain acidity; the intense sunshine builds flavors
and tannin structure; and the age of our vines enhances the wines’ concentration, complexity, and ageability.
Composition
100% Chardonnay Musqué
Wine Specs
Vintage
2018
Varietal
Chardonnay
Appellation
Chalone AVA
Acid
6.8 g/L
pH
3.33
Aging
5 months in French oak
Residual Sugar
0.47 g/L
Alcohol %
14.2
Production Notes
The 2018 vintage was highlighted by its moderate growing season and average rainfall, resulting in grapes
with extra hang time. Cooperative weather during the flowering stage increased fruit yields and created crisp
refreshing wines with wonderfully ripe flavors.
Vineyard Notes
Chardonnay Musque is named such due to its especially aromatic qualities. This clone expresses delightful
perfumed notes, a distinctive quality from any other type of Chardonnay. Our vineyard manager came
across an especially expressive single Chardonnay vine in our vineyard and decided to graft it over to two
other vines, resulting in three vines. The next year he grafted enough to result in eighteen vines of this
intriguing varietal. Today we have an entire 1.7-acre parcel in our MacWood Block, as a result of grafting
from one single vine.