Lioco is a consistently impressive project from husband-and-wife team Matt & Sarah Licklider, who make old world-styled wines from some of California's best cool climate sites. They seek out unique vineyards that are dry/organically farmed and possess diverse soil types, old vines, and heritage clones. The exceptional "Estero" bottling comes from two such sites: Teac Mor and Goldridge, each 8-10 miles from the coast and showing influence from the Pacific. 325 cases produced.
tasting notes: chiseled and mouthwatering, Meyer lemon, modelled after Burgundy but still unabashedly California. Nose of nectarine pit and Thai basil leaf, medium to full bodied on the palate with star fruit, rock salt, and lime zest. Layered, racy, refreshing.
region: Russian River Valley, CA, USA
varietal: Chardonnay
style: medium to full bodied still white
farming/cellar: practicing organic, hand harvested early to preserve acidity, soil is mix of gravelly loam and sandstone, berries broken before press, fermented on the lees for 8 months in 600L neutral oak puncheons, settled in steel for one month, slow malolactic fermentation completed, lightly filtered, minimal so2, vegan friendly.
pairing: shrimp scampi, Dungeness crab, mac and cheese
