Winemaker Notes
Our Chardonnay sanctuary is the cool, crisp microclimate of Sonoma’s Russian River Valley, where the great Charles Heintz and Dutton Ranch vineyards contributed the eld-selected grapes to make this classic small lot Chardonnay. Aromas of white peach, ripe pears, caramel apple, and crème brulée with mineral notes exude from the glass. A soft, creamy palate with a bright acidity. This wine has a long and pleasant taste with flavors of toasted vanilla, caramel, and apple pie.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
From two superb vineyard sites, Charles Heinz and Dutton Ranch, both on the cool edges of the Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley, this is a thick, concentrated and delicious wine, which manages its richness with grace. Honey, vanilla and baked apple linger on the palate, finishing softly and with a note of nutmeg.
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.