Thomas Fogarty 2018 Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains

Thomas Fogarty 2018 Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains

Item Number: 15813

UPC: 0-746675119813

Country: USA
Region: California
Sub Region: Central Coast
Appellation/AVA: Santa Cruz Mountains
Estate Grown Wine: Yes
Vintage: 2018
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Type: Wine - White
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Pack: 12
Closure: Cork
Alc by Vol(%): 14.3
Total Acidity: 6.9
pH: 3.36
Viticulture: Practicing Organic
Soil Type: Lambert shale, siltstone, and sandstone

Tasting Notes: The Thomas Fogarty Santa Cruz Mountains Estate Chardonnay showcases orchard fruits and brioche-scented aromas and flavors. It’s rounded, nicely textured, and balanced.

Winemaking Notes: This Chardonnay hails from the Santa Cruz Mountains, which is defined by a mountainous, maritime climate. The vineyards that produced this 2018 vintage were farmed using organic and biodynamic methods. In the winery, Fogarty has a minimalist approach to ensure the maximum expression of his vineyards. The grapes are whole cluster pressed into barrels for barrel fermentation using native yeast. Malolactic fermentation occurs spontaneously. The wine ages for 11 months in French oak, 20% new and an additional 7 months in tank. Basically the "ingredients" list for this delicious Chardonnay reads as: grapes and as little sulfites as possible.

Vintage Notes from Vinous 5/2022: "I have to tell you, I absolutely adore this vintage. The wines are rich, deep and beautifully layered. There’s so much to the 2018s. The wines are intense and yet they never feel heavy or overdone in any way. It is an exceptionally strong vintage for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon, the three main varieties found here [Santa Cruz Mountains]." - Antonio Galloni

Reviews

  • Wine Enthusiast
    Rating: 91 (9/1/2021)
    Fleshy aromas of poached nectarine and white peach coverage with salted butter and light honeysuckle on the nose of this bottling. It's broad with jasmine and peach flavors on the palate, yet with a twinge of lemony acidity and a nutty savory tone toward the finish.
  • Vinous
    Rating: 91 (5/19/2022)
    The 2018 Chardonnay is so expressive right out of the gate. It offers up an exotic melange of orange peel, spice, hazelnut and dried flowers, all in an open-knit style that is quite appealing. Although on the exotic side, the 2018 has a good bit of brightness to balance things out.