2018 Cherry Ridge Vineyard Chardonnay
Highly fragrant and tropically aromatic, this fruit driven Chardonnay is energetically high-tone with notes of ruby red grapefruit, honeysuckle, Muscat jam and fresh tropical fruits. These juicy flavors carry over onto the palate with pineapple and mango-guava flavors. The palate is crisp, mouthwatering and refreshing, keeping the wine sleek and pure.
The weather in 2018 was spectacular, making this another exceptionally-fine vintage for Sonoma County. A near record long growing season, with plenty of cool days, punctuated with sunny and warm patches allowed flavors and textures to mature fully. Crop levels were above average, with many sites producing the best crops in years. The acidity levels are higher than normal, with perfectly ripened fruit. Though the year was cool, the fruit was very clean and high quality. A vintage to remember!
This Dutton owned vineyard is in the heart of the Russian River Valley, just west of Sebastopol, near the town of Graton. This site’s west facing hillside, Goldridge sandy loam soils, are ideally suited to enhance this wine’s highly aromatic, lifted, fruity nose. Crafted from the rare “Spring Mountain” selection of Chardonnay, this heirloom treasure is an homage to early California Chardonnay plantings famous for strikingly tropical, “Muscat like” aromas of spicy carnation and exotic fruits reminiscent of Viognier.
100% Whole-cluster pressed
100% Burgundian French oak barrels (20% new; 80% 1-2-year old)
Bottled without filtration to preserve the wine’s aromas and flavors and enhance aging potential
- Type:
- White
- Varietal:
- Chardonnay
- Region:
- California
- Appellation:
- Russian River Valley
- Vintage:
- 2018
- Blend:
- 100% Chardonnay fruit
- Aging:
- Sur lie aged with weekly stirring
- Alcohol:
- 14.5%
- Fermentation:
- 100% indigenous yeast fermentations; 100% malo-lactic fermentation in barrel