2005 Chardonnay - Russian River Valley / Rochioli Vineyard

91 points - Wine Spectator
91 points - Wine Enthusiast Magazine

GRAPE SOURCE
Rochioli Vineyard; 95% of the grapes for this outstanding Chardonnay come from the renowned 130-acre Rochioli vineyard of Russian River Valley which was planted by Joe Rochioli, Sr. and is today farmed by his son, Joe, Jr.. In the early 1990’s a block adjacent to the Russian River was planted with clone 5.

WINEMAKING
Early morning hand harvesting and hand sorting at the winery prior to whole-cluster pressing assured the proper respect was paid to this fine fruit. After natural settling of grape solids, the clean juice was fermented in a roughly equal combination of new, one-year-old and two-year-old French oak barrels where the wine matured for 6 and a half months. Multiple yeasts were selected to enhance complexity. Malolactic fermentation was encouraged, and the lees were stirred monthly, to soften natural acidity and add rich, round texture.

WINEMAKER'S NOTES
The 2005 Rochioli Chardonnay has a lovely straw color and is very fruit forward with Gravenstein apple, pear, lemon zest and spicy oak aromas and flavors. It’s well balanced, fresh, crisp and lively with great acidity, mouth filling flavors and a long finish. 

Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Alcohol: 14.3%
Case Production: 376Acid/pH: 0.69/3.34
Released: November 2007
Appellation: Russian River Valley