Winemaker Notes
Located in the cool Russian River Valley, the DCV Block 10 vineyard tends to ripen slowly, providing grapes that are deliciously balanced. In crafting this wine, 30 rows of the variety are selected at the far northeast side of the property. After careful cultivation through the growing season, the fruit is whole cluster-pressed for gentle extraction of flavors. Some lots were fermented with native yeasts, and French oak barrels were used, providing complex aromatics and flavors.
This balanced Chardonnay carries aromas of peach, green apple and lime with notes of candied ginger, allspice, cream soda and a touch of minerality. The palate is full of intense, rich flavors of Asian pear, mango and Meyer lemon, with striking nuances of ruby grapefruit, honeydew melon and vanilla bean. Traces of spice from its brief barrel aging contribute to its harmonious and bright mouthfeel.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Aromas of preserved lemons, pastry, poached pears and flint. The palate is medium-bodied and textural, with bright acidity and a creamy texture, giving notes of yellow apples, mandarin zest and butter.
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Wine Spectator
There's a firm core of apple, citrus and pear, with appealing notes of apple skin, lemon zest and lemon balm, plus a hint of celery salt on the finish. Drink now. 965 cases made.
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.