2012 Gemalla
This is a new blend for us. It returns to a wine we have not made since 2008. Previously, the wine has come exclusively from Lost Slough; this year, we revive the name for a very interesting wine devoted to displaying phenolic intensity, acidity, and minerality with a minimum of skin contact. The blend is a majority Chardonnay, all from Tenbrink. The rest is Verdelho, with a little Cinsault and Pinot Grigio; all from 2012. The wine was fermented in barrel, but aged only five months, with limited malolactic fermentation. I think that the wine is recognizably Chardonnay (which does not sound like praise) but has excellent acidity, a tannic grip, Lodi minerality, and no butteriness.