Winemaker Notes
A stellar Chardonnay that will be age-worthy with high acids and pleasantly ripe fruit characters.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2020 Chardonnay Russian River Valley has a more herbaceous aromatic profile, with ripe green apple, white flowers, and river rock. The palate is sunny and ripe, with orchard fruits and warming baking spice. Drink 2023-2032.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Barrel fermented and matured for 14 months in about 10% new French oak, the 2020 Chardonnay Russian River Valley begins with aromas of candied lemon and flint and blossoms to notes of roasted almonds and meringue. The light-bodied palate is energetic and fresh, with a concentrated core of apricot and lemon fruit and a waxy texture that drives the flavorful 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.