VINEYARD El Diablo Vineyard
CLONES Montrachet, Robert Young, Wente
ORIENTATION North / East
TRELLISING VSP
SOIL Spreckles loam, Felta gravelly loam
FERMENTATION 77% Barrel fermentation / 23% Foudre
ÉLEVAGE 51% Austrian oak for 20 months / 26% French oak for 16 months
ALCOHOL 13.1%
pH 3.29
TA 7.0 g/L
AROMA
Aromatic layers of peach, apricot and peripheral notes of kumquat.
PALATE
Racy minerality coupled with an unreal texture.
In 2017, Mother Nature delivered a concentrated harvest and our talented team worked tirelessly to bring the fruit in at peak quality. These wines are inspired by our desire to capture the essence of many of California’s best vineyards for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This place-driven focus guides every decision in both vineyard and cellar, and each year we strive to produce exemplary representations of vintage and terroir.
We are thrilled to welcome the 2017 El Diablo Chardonnay to our hallmark Fall Offering. Planted in 2008, El Diablo Vineyard has an average elevation of 500 feet. This tightly spaced vineyard encourages competition between the vines for a fixed amount of nutrients, resulting in reduced yields and exemplary quality.
Minimal cellar intervention and impressive terroir combine to create a wine that is both opulent and elegant. Layers of peach, apricot and cara cara orange support its backbone of racy minerality, creating a wine that is simultaneously age-worthy and immediately delicious. This wine is a fantastic addition to any collection.
Fact of Note: 23% Fermented 500 ft. in large horizontal foudres.
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.
