92PTS
JebDunnuck.com

2017 Charles Heintz Vineyard

Chardonnay
Green Valley/Russian River Valley
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About this Wine

Charles Heintz has been growing premium Chardonnay for decades. Nestled in the Green Valley, this is our coolest climate site. Charlie himself has said, “It’s like growing Chardonnay in a rain cloud out here.” Enjoy the 2017 bottling of this impressive wine.

Library Selection

92 Points

“From a well-known site in the Russian River Valley, the 2017 Chardonnay Charles Heintz Russian River Valley offers an exotic honeyed grapefruit, crushed citrus, white flower, and tangerine nose. It's rich, has a viscous, layered texture, good concentration, nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish. It's a singular, exotic (which is a hallmark of this vineyard) Chardonnay to enjoy over the coming 7-8 years.”
Jeb Dunnuck
JebDunnuck.com, June 2019
Tasting Notes
Tasting Notes
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Accolades
Accolades
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Winemaking
Winemaking
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Vintage
Vintage
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Vineyard
Vineyard
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Tech. Notes
Tech. Notes
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additional notes
Tasting Notes
The first impression of the aromas is one of exotic complexity, with classic citrus layers and tropical notes of Brazilian Feijoa fruit and honey. Though supple and mouth-filling on the palate, a vibrant streak of acidity adds poise and precision to the generous fruit, while drawing the flavors to a bright, potent finish.
Accolades
  • 92 Points: Jeb Dunnuck JebDunnuck.com - June 2019
  • “From a well-known site in the Russian River Valley, the 2017 Chardonnay Charles Heintz Russian River Valley offers an exotic honeyed grapefruit, crushed citrus, white flower, and tangerine nose. It's rich, has a viscous, layered texture, good concentration, nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish. It's a singular, exotic (which is a hallmark of this vineyard) Chardonnay to enjoy over the coming 7-8 years.”

Winemaking

In order to maximize quality, all grapes went direct to press as whole clusters. After pressing and settling, the juice was racked into French oak barrels for fermentation. Once dry and finished with malo-lactic fermentation, the lots were aged in barrel for 10monthson the lees, with occasional stirring to increase richness and body. On order to offer some subtle oak influence, this wine was aged in French oak barrels, 86% of which were one-year-old, with no new oak used. The wine was then bottled on August 13th, 2018.

Vintage

The 2017 growing season started off as a wet one. Record rainfall through April invigorated the vines and bolstered canopies. Moderate-to-warm temperatures followed, allowing the vines to bloom and mature fruit in a balanced and tempered way. We did apply more leafing in our canopy management to counter the invigorating effects of the rain. All of our Chardonnay blocks were picked prior to the devastating wine country fires in early October, leaving all wine lots free of possible smoke influence. Grapes were picked on September 26th, 2017.

Vineyard

Charles Heintz has been growing premium Chardonnay grapes for decades. His namesake vineyard is located in the westernmost part of the Russian River Valley, making it our coolest climate site. Charlie himself has said, “It’s like growing Chardonnay in a rain cloud out here.”

Technical Notes
  • composition:

    100% Chardonnay

  • alcohol: 14.5%
  • cases made:

    162 Cases

  • bottling date: 08/13/2018
  • aging:

    Aged 10 months sur lie in French oak, 86% one-year-old

  • fermentation:

    Whole cluster pressed then racked into French oak for primary and malolactic fermentation.

additional notes
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