# Puerta del Mar Chardonnay (2021)

- **Producer:** Ojai Vineyard
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay
- **Region:** California, United States
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Average price:** €51
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** apple, almond, citrus peel, pastry, toasted spices, cream, honey

## About this wine

The Ojai Vineyard's 2021 Puerta del Mar Chardonnay is a single-varietal Chardonnay from Santa Barbara County, California. Ojai Vineyard, led by winemaker Adam Tolmach, focuses on creating wines that express the distinct character of their vineyard sites. The Puerta del Mar vineyard is recognized for its unique soil composition, contributing a specific minerality to the wines. The 2021 vintage was a cooler year, which imparted a notable tension to this particular bottling. This wine is a special release, with a limited production volume.

## Interesting facts

- Puerta del Mar vineyard is noted for its chalk and seafoam soil character.
- Only 155 cases of this special bottling were produced.
- The wine underwent barrel fermentation with wild yeast.
- 43% new French oak was used in its production.

## Food pairing

The wine's medium+ body and layered mouthfeel can stand up to richer dishes. Its integrated acidity helps to cut through the richness of creamy sauces and fats, while notes of citrus and minerals complement seafood and lighter proteins. The subtle spice and toasty notes from oak aging can echo flavors in roasted dishes.

## Wine making process

The 2021 Ojai Puerta del Mar Chardonnay was produced using 100% Chardonnay grapes. A key technique employed was barrel fermentation, utilizing wild yeasts to foster complexity. The wine then underwent an extended aging period of 16 months in French oak barrels, with 43% of the barrels being new. This process contributes to the wine's texture and flavor profile.