2013 For When Medication Is Required Chardonnay
Stuhlmuller Vineyard, Alexander Valley, Sonoma, California
The 2013 growing season in Alexander Valley was fantastic. An early season for bud break and veraison lead to an even growing season with moderate temperatures and mild early season rain. Harvest was clean, abundant and long, giving growers a chance to harvest at optimal ripeness. The wines show perfect aromatic qualities and ripe, seamless structures. Chardonnay was particularly plentiful, delivering a boisterous crop…full of power. Our 2013 Chardonnay came from two seasoned older barrels. The wine was fermented in stainless steel with natural yeasts. A small portion of the wine saw new oak and was then moved to older barrels ranging from one to six years of age. It was from these older barrels that I made the blend. I tasted from 15 barrels, selecting two that showed richness and power, but held their acidity and purity. 2013 was a rich year and the wines are going to be full throttle. A Chardonnay lovers vintage, for sure.
The For When Medication Is Required series takes it shape from a collection of antique syringes brought home from Mexico by my darling Samantha. They are made of glass, having a particularly charming noise to them when propelled. These would have been used over and over again…a time gone by in the medical field. I have always been intrigued with medical instruments. The shapes and sizes, the ability to do precise work, the enabling of wellness…things designed for the purpose of helping others. Wine is a kind of medication. It is orchestrated for our well being. Its calculated doses are part of our everyday culture. Our wine glasses and the bottles we pour from are all instruments of pleasure. We use wine to relax, we use it to entice, we use it for fuel for the mind and body. We use it as required.
For When Medication Is Required is the first time we have used a theme for multiple releases. We have added numbers to the right of the title to differentiate the bottlings. We will continue this numerical system for all future releases, allowing you to count your Kitten Swish collection accurately. Happy Swishing.
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