2023 Staglin Salus Chardonnay
Tasting Notes
The phenomenal 2023 growing season was one of the longest in recent history. An extended winter with evenly spaced rain replenished soil moisture and provided vines some beneficial rest. Temperate weather throughout bud break, bloom, and set allowed for healthy canopy growth and cluster formation. Moving into summer, conditions remained mild and provided full maturity of flavor without excess sugar loading. Harvest commenced weeks later than usual and ultimately crafted the building blocks for wines of unprecedented balance.
Like sunshine through the clouds, the 2023 Salus Chardonnay beams with lively energy and excitement. The aromatics open with an exuberant medley of blooming jasmine, resinous pine, and a twist of lemon peel. On the palate, this mouthwatering Chardonnay bursts with zest of Meyer lemon, crunchy starfruit, and Canary melon. As they recede, a subtle spiced honeycomb emerges and carries through the lengthy, bright finish.
About Staglin Family
The Staglin Family Vineyard has a 130 year heritage of viticulture and a rich social history based on an extraordinary procession of owners through multiple generations.
In 1864, 47 year-old John Steckter, and his wife Mary E. Harris Steckter, purchased a 367 acre parcel for $34 an acre from Serranus Clinton Hastings, one of the wealthiest pioneers and capitalists of early California. They cleared the land and built a large wood frame residence and several barns on their new farm where they propagated 60 acres of grapes surrounding the home dedicating the remaining acreage for cattle and wheat. In 1877 a local newspaper described their Rutherford property as, “a fine dwelling upon the rising ground near the foothills..” In this home John and Mary raised their six children, four daughters and two sons.
In 1985, the Staglin family purchased this historic estate on the Rutherford Bench. It seems incredible that after much searching this unique parcel became available to the Staglins by sheer word of mouth and good timing. With a strong respect for the former proprietors they worked closely with Andre Tchelistcheff to bridge his knowledge of this unique land. In 2007 they purchased the original Steckter home, reuniting it with the surrounding acreage of which it had been a part for 140 years.
Tasting Notes
The phenomenal 2023 growing season was one of the longest in recent history. An extended winter with evenly spaced rain replenished soil moisture and provided vines some beneficial rest. Temperate weather throughout bud break, bloom, and set allowed for healthy canopy growth and cluster formation. Moving into summer, conditions remained mild and provided full maturity of flavor without excess sugar loading. Harvest commenced weeks later than usual and ultimately crafted the building blocks for wines of unprecedented balance.
Like sunshine through the clouds, the 2023 Salus Chardonnay beams with lively energy and excitement. The aromatics open with an exuberant medley of blooming jasmine, resinous pine, and a twist of lemon peel. On the palate, this mouthwatering Chardonnay bursts with zest of Meyer lemon, crunchy starfruit, and Canary melon. As they recede, a subtle spiced honeycomb emerges and carries through the lengthy, bright finish.
