The 2018 Chardonnay is a blend of extraordinary vineyards: Zio Tony, Dutton and the famed Ritchie Vineyard. Carefully harvesting select portions of these famed sites in the middle of the night and at the peak of maturation, we are able to achieve great depth of flavor from this noble grape.
Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Clones: Wente, Rued, and choice Dijon clones
Vineyard Sources: Ritchie, Dutton, and Zio Tony
Tasting Notes: The combination of concrete egg & French oak on some of the most heralded Chardonnay in the Russian River Valley lends to a completely Burgundian inspired experience. The minerality is present from start to finish, all along layers of ripe pineapple, honeysuckle, Granny smith apple, hazelnut cream, soft country butter, and toasty brioche bread. The French oak is restrained in the finish, but still gives a perfect accompaniment of nutmeg and clove to balance out the texture and mouthfeel.
Pairings: Seared sea scallops, lobster in herbed butter, country or rotisserie styled chicken, crab bisque, or grilled veal chops with butternut squash puree.
Winemaking: All solids go into tank, are mixed and then broken down into barrel & concrete egg. Zio Tony Chardonnay is the one component that goes into our egg. Each barrel is stirred every day during fermentation, then stirred once a week and topped until it is thru aging and then is moved into our cave where it is then stirred and topped once every two weeks. 50/50 used and new French oak aging lends spice to the finishing. The wines are combined to meld minerality & barrel nuance to the finished product.
Production: 312 cases
Winemaker: Pete Seghesio
