2017
Chardonnay
Russian River Valley
Sophia’s Vineyard
$55/bottle
Winemaker Notes
This elegant, multi-layered Chardonnay from Sophia’s Vineyard attains a perfect balance between its acidity and creamy texture. Intertwined in the palate are sweet spice, honey, tangerine oil, and a classic river stone minerality. The mouthfeel has an amazing polish, presence, and viscosity that finishes perfectly focused, leaving a persistent impression on the palate.
VINOUS Review
by Antonio Galloni
The 2017 Sophia’s Vineyard is bright, precise and wonderfully nuanced. Although labeled as Russian River in appellation, the Sophias emerges from the Russian River’s Green Valley district, where the wines tend to be especially focused. Expressive saline notes give this energetic, finely cut Chardonnay tons of pure class. This is one of the most impressive wines I have tasted from Alan Peirson and Robbie Meyer. —94 pts.
Production Notes
Production: 140 cases
Russian River Appellation
Located near Graton
Elevation 700 feet
Vine Age – 40+ years
Goldridge Soils
Gentle North Facing Slope
Harvested in September 2017
Malolactic Fermentation
Barrel Fermented
Wild Yeast Fermentation
40% New French Oak
Barrel Aged 14 Months (sur lees)
Bottled in December 2018
Sophia’s Vineyard
Warren Dutton planted this 7 acre vineyard in the 1970s using the Old Wente Clone without rootstock. Located near Graton, the well drained Goldridge soil has kept these vines healthy and productive. On a gentle north facing slope that protects the fruit from the hot afternoon sun, the vines are trained on a vertical trellis (VSP).