Bernardus Rosella's Vineyard Chardonnay 2018
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Bernardus 2018 Rosella’s Chardonnay exhibits complex aromas of ripe white fruits, honey suckle and baking spice. The intense flavors mirror the aromas which linger beautifully through its long, crisp finish.
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Connoisseurs' Guide
Hailing from one of the Santa Lucia Highlands’ more notable sites and a wine that goes right for the richness for which its appellation is known, this full and effusive Chardonnay is at once weighty, mouthfilling and well-balanced with a wealth of oak-sweetened, ripe apple fruit at the fore from beginning to end. It is so deep and abundantly fruity that its scant finishing heat will go unnoticed by all but the pickiest few, and it is an altogether delicious wine that will drink splendidly in the near- to mid-term with all of the full-flavored foods that very rich Chardonnays commend.
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Wine Enthusiast
Rounded aromas of lychee, cherimoya, Meyer lemon peel and light cream are very soft and inviting on the nose of this bottling. The palate is broad and full, with lush flavors of baked apple, roasted white peach, light macadamia nut and a lingering sense of sea salt.
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Pon appreciates wine as an art-- a form of art that transcends the ordinary. His dream with Bernardus is to make a red wine equal to the finest from Bordeaux. To achieve this purpose, Ben, a Dutchman who could have planted vineyards anywhere in the world, has chosen the Carmel Valley for his estate vineyards and winery. Since the early 1970's, there has been a growing awareness of the outstanding potential for Bordeaux varieties from this new viticultural appellation. The Bernardus estate vineyards of Marinus and Featherbow Ranch are located in the Cachagua region of the Carmel Valley. We have been told that Cachagua is the Spanish word Native Americans used for deep or hidden water. It has been said that Native Americans believed that all things in nature were sacred and interrelated. Their respect for balance in nature is carried on in the vineyards of Bernardus. More than 300 live oaks have been preserved to thrive among carefully planted vines.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
Perhaps the most highly regarded appellation within Monterey County, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA benefits from a combination of warm morning sunshine and brisk afternoon breezes, allowing grapes to ripen slowly and fully. The result is concentrated, flavorful wines that retain their natural acidity. Wineries here do not shy away from innovation, and place a high priority on sustainable viticultural practices.
The climatic conditions here are perfectly suited to the production of ripe, rich Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. These Burgundian varieties dominate an overwhelming percentage of plantings, though growers have also found success with Syrah, Riesling and Pinot Gris.