Terlato Family Vineyards Chardonnay 2014
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Caramelized oak makes a statement in this wine that starts out richly and roundly, but finds a sense of balanced acidity in the glass. Medium bodied, it features classic notes of Meyer lemon and Gravenstein apple.
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For years, Anthony J. Terlato was known for importing wines of quality and distinction to the US Market. During a visit to Italy in 1979, Terlato found himself in a restaurant tasting a selection of wines the US had not yet seen. His most important find: a varietal called Pinot Grigio. From there, a legacy was born. Forty years later, the Terlato Family set out to continue their passion for Pinot Grigio and find the pinnacle of production to share with the U.S. In 2014, Bill Terlato wanted to find a new Pinot Grigio for the portfolio that would be even more elevated in taste and quality - unlike any other Pinot Grigio in the market that boasted more complexity and minerality. The ultimate quality was found in the hills of Friuli, with a partnership between the Capaldo Family and Sirch Families. It was with this combined partnership and discovery of Friuli that the Terlato family knew they could continue to tell their luxury story and continue to evolve Pinot Grigio. With over four decades of experience importing, marketing & sharing luxury wine with American consumers, a new era of Pinot Grigio was born. Terlato Vineyards continues to promote luxury Pinot Grigio that highlights a sense of place and delivers the ultimate quality. In 2018, a new package was introduced and in 2019, a partnership with Riedel was formed to develop a Pinot Grigio-specific glass to enhance the Terlato experience.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
A standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.