Nose
It is filled with aromas of honey, citrus blossom, crème brulee, and vanilla bean.
Palate
The texture is round and silky with bright acidity. This full flavored wine is packed with flavors of Fuji apples, citrus fruits and finishes with vivid lime zest notes.
Growing Conditions
The Alary Vineyard has been one of our favorite sources of Chardonnay since our establishment. In 2000, we decided to bottle a small portion of it as a vineyard designate. Located off Westside Road in the Russian River Valley AVA, it is a 12-acre, benchland property surrounded by oaks and neighboring vineyards. The vineyard is planted to the Robert Young, Rued, Dijon 76, Dijon 96, and “Z” clones of Chardonnay, and has been certified organic since 2011. Despite the small size of the vineyard, its hillside location and variety of clones make it necessary for us to harvest the vineyard over several weeks. We keep each of these lots separate through primary and malolactic fermentation in 100% French oak. After nine months of sur-lies aging, select lots are chosen, blended, and returned to French oak for additional aging.
Winemaking
100% barrel fermentation. 100% malolactic fermentation.
Aging
Aged sur-lies for 9 months, blended, then returned to Barrel for additional aging.
Appearance
Our Arrowood 2011 Alary Vineyard Chardonnay exhibits fine clarity in its lovely straw color.
