2018 Miss Sandy Jones
Wine Specs
Vintage
2018
Varietal
Blend - white
Appellation
Willcox
Harvest Date
Throughout harvest
Acid
TA: 6.7 g/L
pH
3.48
Aging
Aged 3 months in stainless steel and 3 months in 100% neutral French oak (without lees stirring). This wine saw only minimal cold-stabilization, did NOT undergo heat-stabilization and is filtered, but unfined.
Alcohol %
13.5
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
In 2018, we learned that we can no longer source the Verdelho that has always been a large component of this blend. We were able to weasel one more half-ton, but that was “goodbye” to a varietal we’ve truly come to love. In place of the missing Verdelho this year, we used Grenache Blanc from the Sierra Bonita Vineyard in Graham County. Its high total acidity and bright citrus fruit gives focus to the softer, melon characters of the Chardonnay, while the smaller-than-usual addition of Verdelho lends spice and more tropical fruit notes. Although the blend is a little different, we think this year’s Sandy Jones rivals some of the best vintages from our past.
Vineyard Notes
Willcox AVA -
- 48% Chardonnay from Carlson Creek Vineyard. Cochise County, AZ. 4,300 ft. elevation. Harvested Aug. 2nd - 23% Chardonnay from Buhl Memorial Vineyard. Cochise County, AZ. 4,300 ft. elevation. Harvested July 31st - 16% Verdelho from Dragoon Mountain Vineyard. Cochise County, AZ. 4,300 ft. elevation. Harvested Aug. 8th - 13% Grenache Blanc from Sierra Bonita Vineyard. Graham County, AZ. 4,300 ft. elevation. Harvested Sept. 15th -
Sugar at harvest: 22.7 Brix average.
Production Notes
Pressed whole-cluster.
Juice then settled 48 hours, racked and inoculated with specially selected yeasts (Rhone4600 & QA23). Fermented in stainless steel at 55 F for 19 days average.
Malolactic fermentation inhibited.
Production
250 cases
Other Notes
Drink within 1-2 years