This prized site in the Russian River Valley has been farmed for more than 40 years by renowned winegrower Kent Ritchie. Benefitting from clockwork fog, and planted to the famed Wente selection, it produced a dazzling Chardonnay in 2017. Offering enticing hibiscus, peach and pineapple aromas, this wine is just plain gorgeous. The perfumed floral and stone fruit elements continue on the palate where they are underscored by a silky richness that carries the wine to a long, luxurious finish.
From its pale yellow straw color with light green reflections to its enticing hibiscus, peach and pineapple aromas, this wine is just plain gorgeous. The perfumed floral and stone fruit elements continue on the palate where they are underscored by a silky richness that carries the wine a long, luxurious finish.
This vintage produced 11 barrels, 256 (750 ml) cases
Tasting Notes
From its pale yellow straw color with light green reflections to its enticing hibiscus, peach and pineapple aromas, this wine is just plain gorgeous. The perfumed floral and stone fruit elements continue on the palate where they are underscored by a silky richness that carries the wine a long, luxurious finish.
Wine Origin
This prized site in the Russian River Valley has been farmed for more than 40 years by renowned winegrower Kent Ritchie. The vineyard is planted to Wente Selection Chardonnay. Situated on gently rolling hills, the soil is sandy loam with striations of sandstone. The famous clockwork fog of the Russian River Valley keeps this vineyard cool and provides ideal conditions for growing a classic expression of Chardonnay.
Production Notes
The 2017 growing season started off as a wet one. Record rainfall through April invigorated the vines and bolstered canopies. Moderate-to-warm temperatures followed, allowing the vines to bloom and mature fruit in a balanced and tempered way. We did apply more leafing in our canopy management to counter the invigorating effects of the rain. All of our Chardonnay blocks were picked prior to the devastating wine country fires in early October, leaving all wine lots free of possible smoke influence. Grapes were picked on September 4th, 2017.
Winemaker Notes
In order to maximize quality, while providing a distinct mouthfeel and texture, the harvested grapes went directly to press as whole clusters and were gently pressed. After settling, the juice was racked into French oak barrels for fermentation. The wine spent its entire life in barrel where it completed primary and secondary malo-lactic fermentations and was aged on the lees for 11 months. In order to increase richness and body, it was occasionally stirred. This vintage had tight acid so 36% new French oak was used in order to broaden the mouthfeel and balance the acid. This Chardonnay was bottled on August 10th, 2018.
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