Fall Release Chloe Chardonnay
2007

Winemaker’s Notes

An identical vineyard blend to our 2004 ‘Chloe’ bottling, this new vintage has all the plush mid palate texture that is a hallmark of the vintage, yet is also youthfully taut on the back end which makes it a natural candidate for the cellar. Kent Ritchie’s classic old vine hillside vineyard dominates the entry with great mineral purity, ripe orchard fruits and old vine palate length. The Dutton-Morelli fruit, from high on the Occidental ridgeline adjacent to Heintz Vineyard, fills in the middle in a softer, broader style and makes the wine opulent yet harmonious. Similar to the 2007 RRV Chardonnay, we opted to block a portion (about 30%) of the malolactic fermentation for this wine to retain an element of angularity and poise in the presence of so much natural concentration. It’s important that none of our wines become overly rich or clumsy, so we adjust our approach each year, just as the fruit naturally varies each harvest. I find the smoky, nutty aromatic character of this bottling particularly appealing. It adds an element of nuanced complexity that is missing from all but the finest Californian Chardonnnays and promises to only intensify as the wine ages… a good reason to tuck a couple of bottles away for four to six years.

Youthful straw color. Bright and smoky nose of toasted almonds, bitter lemon and baked apple with a touch of clove. Melon, white peach and nectarine lead the palate to an oatmealy texture that is fleshy and broad, but maintains a refreshing mineral vibrancy. Long penetrating crunchy apple skin finish. Serve at no cooler than 55 degrees and drink between 2010 and 2016.

Andy Smith Viticulturist, Winemaker & Partner