VINEYARD Charles Ranch, El Diablo Heintz, Searby Ulises Valdez and Zio Tony
CLONES Montrachet, Wente, 4, Rued, Calera, Batto, 95, 548
HARVEST September 21 – October 18, 2011
FERMENTATION Barrel fermented. Partially fermented in a concrete egg.
OAK 40% new French oak / 15 months
ALCOHOL 14.5%
pH 3.32
TA 6.2 g/L
AROMA
This wine expresses beautiful aromas layered in green apple, lemon-lime citrus, orange blossom, honeysuckle and toasty tangerine.
PALATE
Our One Sixteen Chardonnay exhibits lush lemon lime and tangerine citrus. The flavors are succulent, fresh and lively on the palate, with a supple vanilla crème brûlée texture. The finish gradually turns crisp with a final wash of mouthwatering natural acidity.
Our 2011 One-Sixteen Chardonnay is sourced from six incredible vineyard sites in the Russian River Valley. Named after the Gravenstein Highway 116 which cuts through the town of Sebastopol, this wine embodies the true character of the Green Valley sub-appellation; a Chardonnay and Pinot Noir sweet spot within the Russian River Valley. The 2011 vintage is comprised of El Diablo, Heintz, Searby, Ulises Valdez, and Martinelli’s Charles Ranch, and Zio Tony Vineyards. These sites all have superb micro-climates, offering just the right amount of warmth during the day and very cool nights, which leads to intensely focused wine with generous natural acidity.
THE RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY IS hallowed ground for lovers of great Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Here, the vines are submersed in clockwork fog and daytime temperature swings, which preserve the natural acidity essential to elegant, age-worthy wines. We work with a handful of the most beloved vineyards from this remarkable wine region considered by many to be the heartland of California Pinot Noir.
Within Russian River Valley, in a town tucked away from the main roads, you’ll find a community ranging from writer to artisan. The town of Graton is an area where local winemakers and growers take a respite and enjoy some of the many popular yet under-the-radar restaurants. During harvest, the little town is full of life and bustling.
