“…Honey, apricot pit, mint, butter and dried flowers blossom are some of the signatures. This is a real overachiever in its class.“ 91 pts – Antonio Galloni, vinous, February 2016

2013 summed up to be a perfect vintage with clear sunny days and cool evenings.  This produced a long, moderate growing season with extended hang time and even ripening, resulting in a full range of flavors while retaining natural acidity.

Our appellation Chardonnays are given less new oak—14% percent in 2013—and spend less time in barrel—twelve months–than the single-vineyard Chardonnays, but otherwise are made identically.  We press the whole clusters for delicacy. Native-yeast and full native malolactic fermentation take place in barrel, with sur lies bâtonnage.  After aging in barrel 12 months, it is fined and stabilized in tank during the following harvest. This wine was then bottled without filtration in February, 2015.

Coming from special vineyard sites, our Chardonnays show great depth of flavor, length of finish, aromatic complexity, and a fine balance between richness and delicacy.  Typically, the climate is cool and the soil vigor low, producing graceful yet vibrant wines.

Our 2013 Russian River Chardonnay is 38% from four different Dutton ranches (Perry, Mengle, Sebastopol & Mill Station); 17% from Martinelli’s Laughlin Road Vineyard; 13% from King Vineyard; 13% from four Rochioli vineyards (Allen, Mid-40, River, Hill); 10% from Forchini Vineyard; 5% from Westside Farms; and 4% Frostwatch.