From its pale yellow straw color with light green reflections to its
enticing lemon blossom and honeysuckle aromas, this is a beautiful and inviting wine. The perfumed floral elements continue on the palate, where a silky richness underscores bright citrus flavors. A harmonious blend of acidity and tannin carries everything to a fresh, focused finish with lingering notes of zesty lemon and lime.
The harvested grapes went directly to press as whole clusters in order to maximize quality and were gently pressed. This provides a distinct mouthfeel and texture. After settling, the juice was racked into French oak barrels for fermentation. The wine spent its entire life in barrel where it completed primary and secondary malolactic fermentations and was aged on the lees for 11 months. In order to increase richness and body, it was occasionally stirred. The Kent Ritchie Chardonnay has a delicate nature so a modest 18% new French oak was used in order to keep the oak and fruit in balance. This Chardonnay was bottled on August 15th, 2017.
The 2016 growing season was a stellar vintage. Concentrated flavors developed early in the year at a low harvest Brix. We harvested early on August 22nd, 2016. This captured the crisp fruit and mineral qualities this unique site offers.
This prized site in the Russian River Valley has been farmed for more than 40 years by renowned winegrower Kent Ritchie. The vineyard is planted to Wente Selection Chardonnay. Situated on gently rolling hills, the soil is sandy loam with striations of sandstone. The famous clockwork fog of the Russian River Valley keeps this vineyard cool and provides ideal conditions for growing a classic expression of Chardonnay.
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