Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
From the Green Valley, the 2013 Chardonnay Three Jacks Vineyard (253 cases produced) sees about 44% new French oak. It reveals terrific fruit, lots of tangerine oil, pear, pineapple and caramelized citrus, medium to full body, and tremendous acidity and definition. Drink over the next 7-8 years. 92-94 points
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Wine Spectator
From the Green Valley, the 2013 Chardonnay Three Jacks Vineyard (253 cases produced) sees about 44% new French oak. It reveals terrific fruit, lots of tangerine oil, pear, pineapple and caramelized citrus, medium to full body, and tremendous acidity and definition. Drink over the next 7-8 years.
Rating: (92-94)
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.
Situated on the foggier and colder western edge of the Russian River Valley, almost abutting the Sonoma Coast appellation, Green Valley is one of California’s most reputable Chardonnay and Pinot noir producing regions. It is also a wonderful source of sparkling wines made from these varieties.
Goldridge soils abound throughout the Green Valley appellation. This fine, dark, sandy loam and fractured sandstone is derived from the remains of ancient inland seabeds dating back three to five million years. It is valuable for high quality grape growing because of its excellent drainage and low fertility.