Chardonnay 2023 | Lapis Luna | California

Wine Identification
The Lapis Luna Chardonnay 2023 is a white wine produced in California, United States. This vintage is part of the portfolio managed by WarRoom Cellars, which acquired the brand in 2018. The winery was originally founded in 1999 and its winemaking is currently led by Nicole Walsh, an enologist with over twenty-three years of experience, including nearly two decades at Bonny Doon Vineyard.

Origin and Winemaking
The fruit for this Chardonnay is sourced primarily from Mendocino County, resulting from a stable collaboration with the Pauli family. The 2023 growing season was characterized as long and cool. Harvesting took place at night under cold conditions between September 9 and October 18 to preserve freshness.

Vinification begins with destemming and gentle pressing, followed by a four-day cold settling period. Fermentation occurs in a combination of stainless steel tanks and lightly toasted French oak barrels. The wine undergoes partial and spontaneous malolactic fermentation. It is then aged for six months on its lees in French oak before bottling under a screw cap. The final alcohol content is 14.5% by volume.

Expected Profile
As a white Chardonnay from California, this wine reflects the cool-climate conditions of its Mendocino origins. The extended cold settling and fermentation in neutral-to-lightly toasted French oak suggest a profile that balances fruit purity with textural complexity derived from lees aging. The partial malolactic fermentation likely contributes to a rounded mouthfeel without excessive buttery dominance.

Overall Character
The Lapis Luna Chardonnay 2023 presents itself as a carefully crafted California white, emphasizing precision through night harvesting and cold settling. The six-month sur lie aging in French oak aims to integrate structure and texture, resulting in a wine that highlights the specific terroir of Mendocino County under the stewardship of experienced winemaking leadership.