Z. Alexander Brown Uncaged Chardonnay 2020
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All of the Uncaged wines are complex, juicy and dynamic. Z. Alexander Brown wanted to craft a food-friendly, versatile Chardonnay—in a bold style with excellent acidity and balance. This wine is true to the variety, with a bright acidity attributed to the cool climate of Santa Lucia Highlands.
Sourced from Monterey, this Chardonnay expresses flavors indicative of the region which the grapes were grown: Juicy stone fruit flavors balanced by a nice acidity for exceptional balance and mouthfeel and gentle spice character, rounded out with hints of vanilla.
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Highlighting the quality of California’s best growing regions, Z. Alexander Brown wines unveil a robust style reflective of the land and the unlimited potential that can result from a pair of artists with a passion for bringing food, people and a sense of place together through creativity. The Z. Alexander Brown Uncaged wine portfolio includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Proprietary Red Blend, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc from California’s finest winegrowing regions and are produced and distributed by Delicato Family Winery. Inspired by homegrown values, a lifelong connection to the land and Zac’s passion for bringing music, food and people together, Z. Alexander Brown wines ignite a natural gateway to wine – and a freedom to create. “…Both wine and music are intangible – you can’t stop either one in time and examine it carefully as they both change over time. Each has a lot of tone, feeling and texture. It’s all a craft. No matter what the medium is, it all takes a lot of love, time and attention to detail to come out with a final product you know everyone will enjoy”. -- Zac Brown, proprietor of Z. Alexander Brown.
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.