Winemaker Notes
The 2021 Hartford Court Russian River Valley Chardonnay offers subtle aromas of jasmine flower, citrus oil, green apple and pear. The elegant aromatics are complemented by fresh kiwi, lemon drop and green apple flavors. The fruit focused mid-palate is followed by subtle mineral notes and a hint of crystallized ginger in the finish.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Assertively oaky in aromas and flavors, this intense and spicy-tasting wine opens with ginger, toast and white pepper in the nose, followed by a vivid, toasty and slightly gripping palate that echoes a touch of pepper spice for a warm mouthfeel.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
It’s scented of red apples, apricot, toast, nutmeg and flint. The palate is broad and refreshing with soft allspice and cedar tones and a spicy finish.
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.