Winemaker Notes
Vivid aromas of citrus blossom, pineapple and green papaya. The vibrancy of aromas is matched
by its opulent texture and layered flavors of candied orange rind and crème brûlée followed by a
mineral laden finish. Indigenous yeast fermentation in French oak barrels and extended aging of
16 months on lees drives this wine’s exceptional complexity.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This tremendously impressive wine is made from grapes grown at the Martinelli family’s Zio Tony Vineyard. It tastes of apple up front, juicy, layered and complex in lush texture and buoyant acidity. Edges of crème brûlée and caramel accent papaya and pineapple, with underlying mineral components that add to the intriguing richness.
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.