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Russian River Valley
2022 Gravel Lens Chardonnay
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Winemaking Notes
This Chardonnay shows perfumed floral aromas with orange blossom, apricot, mineral, and dusty oak. Floral tones, baked bread and oak spice flavors fill the mouth and, though rich, the mouthfeel is creamy and lighter than expected. This wine finishes with a touch of acidity and golden honey. Enjoy this wine with a variety of salty cheeses, fettuccini alfredo, ravioli marinara or a creamy vegetable soup.
Vineyard Notes
The River West Vineyard is located on Westside Road on a low riverside bench in the far northern end of the Russian River Valley. The soil is predominantly Yolo sandy silt loam with a pocket of gravelly Cortina soil. One particular block of Chardonnay planted to the Spring Mountain selection Chardonnay, has been one of the perennial favorites, a centerpiece of our River West Chardonnay bottling for many years. Certain spots in the vineyard contain gravel lenses - areas where the Russian River deposited larger amounts of gravel than in other areas and which, over time, were hidden by soil eroded from the nearby hillsides. Subsequently, the gravel lenses are where the vines produce lower yields and exceptional quality fruit.
Production Notes
The 2022 vintage was very mild. Rain from the previous autumn was light, and the new year entered warm and dry with daytime highs up to 70°F in early spring. An unusual sprinkle of rain in early summer was no cause for concern, and the temperature turned predictably hot a few days in June as usual, but the season was mild overall, with most summer days peaking around 85-90°F. An early harvest came as no surprise with the seasonable weather as we picked the Spring Mountain block on August 19.
Wine Specs
Vintage
2022
Varietal
Chardonnay
Appellation
Russian River Valley
Acid
0.66g/100mL
pH
3.24
Aging
15 months in French/Hungarian oak barrels, 44% new
Alcohol %
14.5
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