Krutz Family Cellars Martinelli Road Chardonnay 2011
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Although Krutz Family Cellars was founded by an army and family of one (Patrick), it has just recently truly grown into its 'full' business name. The '03-'07 vintages were crafted entirely by Patrick. Youngest brother Cole came on the scene in 2007. Cole is our chief cellar rat and is currently enrolling in a Wine MBA curriculum at Sonoma State College. Also new to the family is Rebecca Kuchar Krutz. She and Patrick met each other in Napa Valley in the summer of 2007 and since have been doing their share of adding to the Krutz gene pool with Patrick II and a daughter expected in June. When the business was founded, the word "Family" was included due to Patrick's tight ties with his parents and brothers, but now it certainly encompasses an even bigger and broader meaning. After all, anyone who enjoys a bottle of Krutz Family Cellars is part of our extended family!
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.