Nose
The 2016 Hartford Court Russian River Valley Chardonnay offers subtle aromas of jasmine flower, citrus oil, green apple and pear.
Palate
The elegant aromatics are complemented by fresh kiwi, lemon drop and Pippin apple flavors. The fruit-focused mid-palate is followed by subtle mineral notes and a hint of crystallized ginger in the finish.
Growing Conditions
The 2016 Hartford Court Russian River Valley Chardonnay comes from a collection of small vineyards located throughout the Russian River Valley AVA. These vineyards are a combination of our Estate properties such as Fog Dance, Arrendell, Bellflower and Bloomfield, as well as a handful of our neighbors’ vineyards, located in the heart of the Russian River Valley. The sites express the essence of the Russian River Valley by showcasing the best of the sub-regions within our AVA: Middle Reach – Ripe fruits, honeysuckle and jasmine characters. Green Valley – Citrus, lemon drop candy and green apple aromas and flavors. Laguna Ridge – Baked apple and pear, layered texture, crystallized ginger finish.Sebastopol Hills – Bright citrus oil aromatics with focused acidity and lemon-lime flavors. Each sub-region brings complexity and character to the final blend
Winemaking
Our winemaking is focused on artisan techniques: • All hand harvested at night or early morning • Whole cluster pressing • Indigenous yeast barrel fermentations in all French oak barrels (25% new) • Aged for 8 months, weekly lees stirring through malolactic fermentation • No fining and minimal filtrationThese gentle handling techniques help promote fruit intensity, greater complexity and a wine with balance and elegance.
Aging
8 months, Barrel fermented in 100 % French Oak; 25% new
