2006 CHARDONNAY - RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY / STARR RIDGE VINEYARD

The 24 acre Starr Ridge Vineyard 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.

This 2006 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.

The challenging 2006 vintage saw a wet, cool spring and reduced yields, but produced zesty fruit with excellent flavor development. These grapes were hand-harvested on August 24th and 29th at 23.6 degrees Brix and whole cluster pressed. Malolactic fermentation was encouraged and the wine was matured on its lees for 7 ½ months in a mix of 50% new and one and two year-old French oak barrels. We feel the fruit from this vineyard is of consistent and exceptional quality … the perfect ingredient for excellent wines.