2019 Cherry Ridge Vineyard Chardonnay
This single selection, 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. Aged in 100% older oak to preserve the aromatic purity of this exotic wine.
2019 has proven to be an excellent year. The modestly wet winter led to an unusual spring with six inches of rain falling in late May. The extra water caused particularly strong vine canopy growth necessitating extra leaf pulling to improve air flow and suppress diseases. No significant problems persisted as the vines moved into a delightful summer, with nicely warm days tempered by cool afternoon winds from the Pacific. Crop levels were average, with most sites needing very little thinning to achieve optimum balance. Harvest weather was particularly pleasant, with the fruit ripening evenly, and critically, not too quickly. The 2019 wines are showing rich, supple structures with fine grained, plush tannins supported by juicy, fresh fruit flavors and clearly defined vineyard characters.
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: 0% New, 100% 2 & 3-year-old barrels.
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:
- 2019
- Blend:
- 100% Chardonnay
- Aging:
- Sur lie aged with weekly stirring
- Alcohol:
- 14.5%
- Fermentation:
- 100% indigenous yeast fermentations; 100% malo-lactic fermentation in barrel