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Varietal

Chardonnay

Vintage

2018

Kent Ritchie Vineyard

Appellation

Russian River Valley

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 the Wente Selection of Chardonnay, which grows on gently rolling hillsides in sandy loam soils with striations of sandstone. The Russian River Valley’s famous clockwork fog keeps this site cool, and provides ideal conditions for growing a classic expression of Chardonnay.

Tasting Notes

From its pale yellow straw color with light green reflections to its enticing tropical aromas of green melon and passionfruit this is a gorgeous wine. On the initial entry, it is rich and creamy, but as it evolves vibrant citrus layers emerge providing balance, while also carrying the wine to a long, refreshing finish.
Accolades

92 points from Jeb Dunnuck | “From a site in the Russian River and aged in 25% new French oak, the 2018 Chardonnay Kent Ritchie offers lots of toasty and spicy notes as well as orchard fruits, medium body, a pure, clean, soft style, good acidity, and a clean finish. It's another impeccably made Chardonnay that delivers the goods.”
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 the Wente Selection of Chardonnay, which grows on gently rolling hillsides in sandy loam soils with striations of sandstone. The Russian River Valley’s famous clockwork fog keeps this site cool, and provides ideal conditions for growing a classic expression of Chardonnay.
Production Notes

The 2018 growing season began with warm winter weather, before things turned cool and rainy in February, which prevented an early budbreak. While the rains continued, things warmed up again in March, providing ideal nutrients and growing conditions for the vines. From June onwards the weather was lovely and temperate, with sunny days and cool nights ensuring excellent flavor development and acid retention in the grapes. As harvest drew near, the weather turned warm providing a final push to ripeness. The grapes from this vineyard were picked on September 5th, 2018.
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 a partial secondary malo-lactic fermentation, which preserved its natural acidity. The wine was then aged on the lees for 11 months. In order to increase richness and body, it was occasionally stirred. A generous 25% new French oak, and 25% once-filled French oak barrels were used in order to broaden the mouthfeeland balance the acid. This Chardonnay was bottled on August 6th, 2019.

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Vintage 2018 Kent Ritchie Vineyard

Appellation Russian River Valley

Vintage

2018

Kent Ritchie Vineyard

Appellation

Russian River Valley