2009 Russian River Chardonnay
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Vineyard: The Wente clone grapes used to craft our 2009 Russian River Valley Chardonnay were sourced from 30-year-old vines located on the western edge of Bernard Orsi’s Eastside Road Vineyard, adjacent to the Russian River. Eastside Road Vineyard is located in the Middle Reach of the Russian River Valley and across the river from the famed Rochioli Vineyard. This area receives excellent sun and warmth during the day to ripen the fruit, but also benefits from the cooling maritime fog that follows the River inland, providing great natural acidity in the grapes. The old-vine fruit we use comes from widely spaced vines that are dry farmed and quadrilateral trained. The grapes from these mature vines produce beautifully balanced wines that showcase rich, luscious fruit and classic cool-climate acidity.
Vintage: After the challenging year experienced by growers in 2008, the 2009 vintage provided almost ideal growing conditions for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Russian River Valley. The late winter and spring seasons were dry, with warmer than average temperatures, allowing flowering to occur without event and providing good crop set. The growing season was cool and even, with very few heat spikes allowing for extended hang time and flavor development. A very warm end to August pushed the fruit to optimum ripeness and produced Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with intense aromatics, rich flavors, bright acidity and excellent balance.
Winemaker Notes: This Chardonnay opens with aromas of orange blossom, ripe Bartlett pear, toast and vanilla. On the palate, it is ripe and rich, with flavors of peach, Granny Smith apple and mineral. The wine finishes with bright acidity, characteristic of the vintage and the vineyard, with a touch of lemon zest; it screams to be on the table with food, try it with grilled scallops, a simple roasted chicken or sole meuniere.
Technical Notes:
Variety: Chardonnay (100%)
Clone/Selection: Wente
Harvest Dates: September 23rd
Barrel-aging: 19 months in 60-gallon French oak barrels (48% new)
Analysis:
- pH: 3.59
- TA: 6.2 grams / liter
- Alcohol: 14.3% by volume
Cases Produced: 312
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