Maitre-De-Chai 2013 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

Michael Mara Vineyard. Only 2 barrels made. The nose has a soft butterscotch with a hit of stone fruits, light oak spice and a hazelnut with a just there mineral set. The body is medium in weight and acid showing the elements of the nose. The light barrel notes allowing the hazelnuts, butterscotch show through bringing creme brule and lemon curd. D&M Tasting Notes

 At the base of the Sonoma Mountain range we are enlightened disciples of this vineyard by way of Abe Schoener and Steve Matthiasson. Both Abe and Steve have equally taught us lessons in what this vineyard is capable of through the wines they have produced from this vineyard over the years at their productions, The Scholium Project and Matthiasson Family Wines. Together, they are the only reason we were able to produce this wine. 

Farmed by Steve, the soil of this vineyard is the result of what we believe to be a cataclysmic landslide that cascaded rocks and volcanic soil onto the valley floor. It took Steve years to clear the vineyard enough to actually be able to plant vines. The vineyard is an undulating croupe of rocks and red soil that makes for an incredibly distinctive and powerful wine. Michael Mara is 100% Chardonnay, from Old Wente clone four. It possesses a natural richness and a beautiful bright acidity, as we use completely neutral oak and very little sulfur throughout its élevage. The wine is hand labeled and hand bottled unfined and unfiltered. Winery Notes