Winemaker Notes
The grapes for the 2019 La Storia Chardonnay was sourced from old and established Russian River vineyards with very small berries and clusters providing great concentration of aromas and flavors. The grapes were hand-picked early in the morning at the lowest temperature possible. Trentadue pressed the fruit directly without destemming for preserving more of the delicate aromas. The entire lot was barrel fermented using two different types of yeast with partial malolactic fermentation to preserve the fruit expression of the grapes and to keep more of the natural acidity and freshness. The lees on the bottom of the barrels was stirred twice per month for increased mouth feel and viscosity. This 2019 Chardonnay has a typical for the variety and the style aromas of tropical fruits, ripe apples, peaches and apricots. Further aeration reveals deeper aromas of toast with a touch of caramel and ripe Mayer lemons meringue and a bit of minerality. The mouth feel is generous and rich, with tamed acidity and long and round finish. Drink now, through 2027.
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.