About Fogarty
Few wine regions on earth can match Santa Cruz Mountains’ climates, soils and vertigo-inspiring views. Set high in the mountains overlooking California’s Silicon Valley, the Thomas Fogarty winery has been making single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet from the SCM appellation since 1981. Fogarty’s two estates are divided into micro-vineyards, ranging from .25 to 5.25 acres, based on soil and topography. All are maritime (12-18 miles to Pacific), cool-climate (Regions I and II), high-elevation (1600-2300 feet), low yielding (1-3 tons per acre) and mountainous. The winery was founded by Dr. Thomas Fogarty, a Stanford cardiovascular surgeon and world-renowned inventor.

Vintage
With some of the lowest yields in recent memory, 2005 will go down as one of our most successful and demanding vintages. Poor weather throughout California in the spring resulted in poor fruit set and consequently lower yields. Low yields and a perfect weather during prime ripening weather allowed us to harvest perfectly ripe fruit that was packed with concentrated flavors, yielding wines with delicious fruit.

Vineyards
Our Chardonnay vineyards experience some of the coldest weather of any in California resulting in a long harvest that wasn’t finished until November 1st. Our Estate bottling represents the best barrels selected from all of our high-elevation, maritime micro-vineyards.

Winemaking
Our 2005 Estate Chardonnay represents the best barrels from each of our estate micro-vineyards. Whole-cluster pressing, followed by barrel fermentation with natural and inoculated yeast produced wonderfully opulent, yet focused wines. Weekly batonage and 16 months in 66% new oak added flesh and texture to the brilliant spine of acidity and bright mountain fruit. We bottled the wine unfiltered to preserve the magnificent texture and delicate aromatics.

Tasting Notes
Our 2005 Estate Chardonnay is defined by its great concentration, balance and typicity. It offers more aromatics and increased depth in the mouth than our Santa Cruz Mountain bottling. The nose is a mélange of crushed rock and lemon oil with hints of toasted vanilla. The acidity is firm, but the texture is anything but lean. The wine wraps itself around your tongue and forces you to take notice. It should drink well for 3-7 years.

TECHNICAL DATA:

Appellation
Santa Cruz Mountains

WINEMAKER
Michael Martella

VINEYARDS
100% TFW Estate: 78% Langley Hill Vineyard, 16% Damiana Vineyard,
4% Portola Springs Vineyard, 2% Gist Ranch

COMPOSITION: 100% Chardonnay

Finished alcohol: 14.5% ABV
Acid/pH: .73/3.74
Oak Treatment: 20% New French Oak
Total production: 529 cases
California suggested retail: $35.00