2005 Chardonnay - Russian River Valley / Starr Ridge Vineyard

92 points - Wine Enthusiast Magazine
91 points - Wine Spectator
91 points - Connoisseur's Guide to CA Wine

GRAPE SOURCE
The 24 acre Starr Ridge Vineyard is owned by Gary and Debbie Farrell. The site has an easterly orientation and is located in the cool, breezy hills just east of the Russian River and southwest of the town of Windsor. Four acres of the vineyard are planted to Chardonnay, including Dijon clones 95 and 96, selected for this site due to their favorable flavor profiles, small cluster and berry size, and moderate yields. Close vine spacing was incorporated to promote competition for water and nutrients, thus further reducing vigor and keeping crop levels low. The result is intensely flavored Chardonnay with an ideal balance of sugar and acidity.

WINEMAKING
The long, cool 2005 vintage produced zesty fruit with superior flavor development, particularly in the Dijon clone 96 grapes that make up the lion’s share of this Chardonnay. The grapes were hand-harvested at 23.5 degrees Brix and whole cluster pressed. 100% of this wine received malolactic fermentation and the wine was matured on its lees for 7 months in a mix of new, one and two year-old French oak barrels. We feel the fruit from this vineyard provides consistent and exceptional quality … the perfect ingredients for excellent wines.

WINEMAKER'S NOTES
This 2005 Starr Ridge Chardonnay exhibits pleasant aromas of fresh green apples, lemon zest and toffee. This luscious fruit-focused wine fills the mouth with flavors of baked apples, lemon curd and well-integrated sweet oak. This wonderfully complex Chardonnay has brilliant acidity and a lingering finish. Try this wine with the rich flavors of pan seared diver scallops or roast chicken with lemon and thyme.

Bottled: June 7, 2006
Winemaker: Susan Reed
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Alcohol: 14.2%
Case Production: 376
Acid/pH: 0.62/3.43
Released: June 2007
Appellation: Russian River Valley

 

PAST VINTAGES
2004 Chardonnay - Russian River Valley / Starr Ridge Vineyard
2003 Chardonnay - Russian River Valley / Starr Ridge Vineyard
2002 Chardonnay - Russian River Valley / Starr Ridge Vineyard