Winemaker Notes
The 2022 Peirson Meyer Russian River Chardonnay opens like a sunlit orchardin spring, with delicate aromas of whitepeach, golden apple, and fragrant blossoms.Whispering through the air are layers ofcreamy lemon and the subtle allure of Asianpear. On the palate, it dances between theripe warmth of baked apple and the softspice of cinnamon, while honeyed orangezest adds a touch of sweetness. Silky andexpansive, this Chardonnay unfolds with agraceful weight, leading to a long, lingering finish that lifts and lingers—fresh as a breezeon a summer afternoon and as soothingas the golden glow of an autumn twilight.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2022 Chardonnay Russian River was barrel-fermented and matured for 14 months in 45% new French oak. It has ripe aromas of baked apples, meringue, toast, honey and new oak spice. The full-bodied palate has a silky texture and concentrated, flint-laced flavors. It’s balanced by vibrant acidity and has a long, savory 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.