Jackson Estate Seco Highlands Chardonnay 2016
A rich, lively wine offering floral notes and balanced oak. The Rued clone imparts a Muscat/Gewürztraminer nose that makes the Seco Highlands Chardonnay a very inviting and surprising wine. The Arroyo Seco (Spanish for Dry Creek) appellation of Monterey County is in the center of the chilled Salinas Valley. Just the right distance from the Pacific Ocean to balance warm, sun-drenched days for ripeness, with the cooling effect of a marine layer (fog) and cold nights for bright, fresh acidity. Complex regions create the most interesting wines.
Acclaim
92 points, Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, Apr 2018
"The 2016 Chardonnay Seco Highlands is the most exotic and perfumed of the Kendall-Jackson Chardonnays. Then again, that is the signature of the Rued Clone that plays an important role in the
blend. Exotic stone fruit and floral notes all mesh together in this distinctive, nuanced Chardonnay. Unctuous on the palate, with terrific depth, the 2016 has a ton of personality."
Winemaking
Aged 11 months in 100% French oak barrels, 78% new, with a medium toast.
Vineyards
Elevation: 250 - 350 feet above sea level
Soil: Western slope of Arroyo Seco region that is an alluvial bench of sandy loam and gravel soils.
Climate: Quite windy, yet nestled against the Santa Lucia mountains which reduces the wind factor. Fog is usually thick in the evenings coming in daily from the Monterey Bay.
