VINEYARD Bootlegger’s Hill, Russian River Valley AVA
CLONES Hyde
ORIENTATION North/East
TRELLISING VSP
SOIL Goldridge sandy loam
FERMENTATION 100% barrel
ÉLEVAGE 45% new French oak for 15 months
ALCOHOL 13.6%
pH 3.28
TA 6.29 g/L
AROMA
A mesmerizing Chardonnay that leads with fresh and vivid aromas of honey, apricot, and green apple.
PALATE
A round, supple texture with flavors of lemon, Asian pear, and juicy white peach are impeccably balanced with a hint of flinty minerality and lively acidity.
Planted in 2009, our 30-acre Bootlegger’s Hill Estate Vineyard sits above the fog line at an elevation of 750 feet. Featuring two blocks of Hyde clone Chardonnay in the Russian River Valley’s famed Goldridge soils, it is the source of exquisite wines recognized for their luxurious purity and graceful balance, and the 2020 Bootlegger’s Hill Chardonnay is no exception.
We meticulously farmed our Estate vineyard by leafing the vines to optimize ripening conditions, extenuating the purity of the Chardonnay grapes, and then bottle the wine unfiltered to preserve its full nuance and charm. In the glass, there is a weightlessness to the silken-textured fruit with notes of yellow apple, orange zest, honey, and apricot. A lemony-richness builds on the mid-palate with a chalky minerality and subtle expression of oak—a mesmerizing, unmatched Chardonnay
Fact of Note: Bottled unfiltered to preserve its full nuance and charm.
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.
