2019 Blanc de Blancs

The 2019 vintage of the Lytle-Barnett Blanc de Blancs speaks to the art of blending. Utilizing four vineyard blocks from three different vineyards to develop a compelling and rich, 100% Chardonnay base wine, we again see the Blanc de Blancs containing fruit from both the Beize and Zenith Vineyards, and with this vintage, adding the estate fruit from the Anahata Vineyard. The Bieze Vineyard brings a striking minerality and fresh crisp fruit, the old-vine, self-rooted Zenith Vineyard Chardonnay added to the blend for additional texture and depth. The addition of the Anahata fruit contributes a youthful purity. While the vineyards are all in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, there is always a striking difference in texture, weight, and flavor composition that is very complimentary. The grapes were chilled overnight to allow for a gentle press cycle the next day in a traditional pneumatic press. The Chardonnay juice was vinified separately in a of traditional French oak barrels, stainless steel barrels, or tank to develop depth and complexity of flavors while retaining an exacting freshness. The different vessels allow different aspects of the fruit's flavor profile to emerge over the course of the primary fermentation and subsequent elevage, creating a more dynamic and complex end result than a singular fermentation vessel could. The base wines were encouraged to go through a partial malolactic fermentation to bring a pleasing creamy component and gentleness to the palate. The wine was bottled in the spring of 2020 and matured sur latte (on its lees) until disgorging in April of 2024. Upon disgorgement, it was decided a small dose of 5 g/L would bring perfect balance and mid-palate weight to the youthful intensity of the wine. The wine was aged on cork for an additional 6 months after disgorgement before its release to allow the dosage to integrate and the wine to relax.