Description
The Arroyo Vista Chardonnay is grown in the heart of the windswept and cool Arroyo Seco AVA in Monterey County. Loamy sand and gravelly loam soils of the Elder series are intermixed and underlain by “Greenfield potatoes” - stones that resemble potatoes in size and appearance and which absorb heat during the day and radiate it after sunset. This underlayment of stone effectively limits root growth to the top three to five feet of soil, harmoniously balancing the fruit and shoot growth of this richly-flavored Chardonnay. The 2022 growing season in Monterey’s Arroyo Seco was classic, perfect for ripening Chardonnay. The cool weather during the spring provided for slow, even ripening of the grapes. The warmth in early September, ideal for flavor development, was tempered by the afternoon winds off nearby Monterey Bay - extending the time on the vine for more texture and mouthfeel. Most of the final Arroyo Vista blend is clone 76, with its ripe pear and apple flavors. Clone 96 brings nectarine flavors and texture to the wine. Clone 548 offers lovely white and yellow floral aromas and Meyer lemon flavors, while clones 5 and 17 add layers of stone fruit and minerality. This array of clones and flavors combine for a truly unique and complex Chardonnay.
J Lohr was founded in 1973 by the eponymous Jerry, who originally looked at the cool and windblown Monterrey coast. Fairly quickly building a successful business with the lovely terroir there in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, he expanded to Paso in a search for a place to grow truly great Cabernet. And, with no doubt - he found it. Founding the Hilltop Vineyard pretty quickly, they expanded rapidly off the back of the quality of Paso Robles fruit and the exceptional quality of the wines they were producing. Nowadays this is one of USA's favourite wineries - not requiring pretence or shouting to show how damn good it is. This is a Cellar's favourite across the board, with the Seven Oaks and the Riverstone proving firm favourites amongst our customers.