Morgen Long Chardonnay Black Label 2023

Grapes: Chardonnay

Country: USA

The Black Label Chardonnay is 100% Willamette Valley Chardonnay from six vineyards planted between 1984-2019: 34% Witness Tree Vineyard, Eola Amity Hills, hand-picked 9/7/23, 21% von Oehsen Vineyard, Eola Amity Hills, hand-picked 9/11/23, 18% Durant Vineyard Chardonnay, Dundee Hills, hand-picked 9/11/23, 13% Koosah Vineyard Chardonnay, Block 7, Eola Amity Hills, hand-picked 9/18/23, 9% Yamhill Vineyard, Yamhill-Carlton, hand-picked 9/16/23 and 5% X Omni Vineyard Chardonnay, Block 5, Eola Amity Hills, hand-picked 9/15/23

Soil: A combination of marine sediment soils and volcanic soils

Viticulture: Farmed using organic and sustainable methods.

Vinification: Each lot was crushed into the press; the must browned in steel before a sulfur addition. Ambient pied de cuve encouraged fermentation in steel or French oak on full solids. Fermented in fourth and fifth-fill 350L, 400L, and 500L French oak puncheons and two stainless drums, primary fermentation finished in 20-35 days. Ambient malolactic completed by December 2023 in most of the puncheons, while one 400L puncheon and both stainless drums had scarcely begun malolactic in the spring of 2024 and went to steel without sulfur after one year. This tank has remained unsulfured throughout 2024.

Aging: The final blend was made after seventeen months from 75% fourth- and fifth fill puncheons and 25% stainless drums. The 2023 Black Label Chardonnay aged an additional six months in stainless steel on lees. No fining.