Green hue in my Chardonnay - what does it mean?

[Don_Sandberg]

Another superb green wine from Don at iota. BD purchase. Jackpot.

Community Tasting Note - 2018 Iota Chardonnay Pelos Sandberg Vineyard - CellarTracker

February 6, 2021 - Excellent. I requested that my berserkerday package swap out two pinots for a couple of chardonnay because I was curious. Love the PN. This is super and I look like a genius. Love the light green hue. Beautiful yellow and green fruit wrapped in medium acid. Rebuy

Glad you are enjoying the chard! Here’s a little behind the scenes info. I agree it has a tinge of green to it, that I believe is mostly from it being young and made in a less ripe and more vibrant style. I do a few things to achieve this. First off, it’s grown here onsite at PSV. It’s hard to over ripen chard in the Willamette Valley, and that’s a big factor. Many of the grape clusters are neon green, and some that are exposed to the sun, are golden yellow. I pick it based on the PH and acid over mature flavors. This ensures the acid is balanced even after it goes through full malolactic conversion and will give me flavors ranging from lemon zest, green apple and pear rather than tropical. Once picked and pressed, it’s settled for a day and then immediately moved to barrel where it spends several months completing primary and secondary fermentation without any So2. This technique is called “black chardonnay”. Unlike chards that are immediately protected from oxidation with So2, iOTA chard is allowed to oxidize turning black, like an apple does when cut. This early oxygen bonds with phenols which softens the wine and falls out leaving it brilliantly clear with more stability. The final barrel aging process is less about appearance and more about building body and secondary flavors Also, the wine is on the lees in barrel the whole time which adds texture and body. I think all of these steps are important for balance. Lastly the wine will get a low dose of So2 and bottled after 10 months. Hopes this sheds a little light!