Winemaker Notes
The 2023 growing season in the Russian River Valley was characterized by a balanced combination of warm days and cool, fog-laden nights. In the glass, the 2023 Calculated Risk Russian River Valley Chardonnay presents a brilliant, straw-yellow hue with hints of gold. The nose is an elegant bouquet of ripe orchard fruits and subtle floral notes. On the palate the wine is smooth and lush, with flavors of crisp apple, juicy pear. A streak of minerality with refreshing acidity. The finish is long and balanced.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
I have often been impressed with Russian River Valley Chardonnays for their elegance and richness. The stylish 2023 Calculated Risk Chardonnay is spot on. This wine showcases aromas and flavors of aromatic herbs, sun-dried rocks, and dried peach skin. Steam lobster claws and enjoy. (Tasted: April 21, 2025, San Francisco, CA)
Every great story starts with a leap of faith — a bold decision to try something new, take a risk, and see where it leads. Just like Calculated Risk's wines, life's best moments are about stepping out of your comfort zone and sharing those experiences with the people around you.
Calculated Risk is more than just a wine—it's a tribute to the bold thinkers, risk-takers, and visionaries who shape the world for the better. It's for those who don't leave things to chance, but carefully weigh the odds, trust their instincts, and move forward with intention.
Every bottle is crafted with that same fearless spirit—where innovation meets intention, and where breaking the mold is just part of the process. Calculated Risk honors those who challenge norms, embrace the unknown, and make their mark through deliberate, daring choices.
Here's to the crazy ones, the ones who change the world.
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.