Denton Ribolla Chardonnay 2022

Like the Orange Chardonnay in 2022, this was made in tiny quantities of less than 50 dozen. The blend is Ribolla Gialla (75%) and Chardonnay (25%). The Denton crew planted one acre of Ribolla Gialla three years ago near the Chardonnay vines at the bottom of the cooler, north-eastern slope, and this is the first crop. The Ribolla was picked late in the season when the skin colour had started to turn, and flavours had intensified. It was kept on skins for 14 days and then held in tank for 10 months. The Chardonnay (P58 clone) was picked earlier than the Ribolla and spent seven days on skins before fermenting and resting in old barrique. The wines were blended and bottled without fining or filtration.