Tech Notes
Wine Details
By Fort Ross Vineyard and Winery
2020 Chardonnay Fort Ross Vineyard
Background
From our mountain vineyard that overlooks the Sonoma Coast in the Fort Ross-Seaview American Viticultural Area, Fort Ross Vineyard and Winery produces limited quantities of single vineyard, estate-grown, cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinotage. With spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean less than one mile away, the vineyard is divided into 32 separate blocks, one-half to two acres in size, ranging in elevation from 1,700 to 1,200 feet above sea level. Owners Lester and Linda Schwartz, with their small crew, began preparing the 53-acre vineyard in 1994. It took them 4 years of preparation before they could begin planting. The year 2000 marked the first vintage from the Fort Ross Vineyard.
Vintage Details
The growing season on the coast welcomed normal rainfall levels for the first several months of the year, filling the reservoir and hydrating vineyard soils. A mild spring with no frost concerns brought an average-sized crop level. The summer enjoyed steady, mild 80-85 degree temperatures, allowing the grapes to develop ideal complexity and flavors. A warm August allowed harvest to begin on the earlier side, creating wines with freshness, acidity, beautiful fruit, and concentration.
Production
The grapes were handpicked during the cool hours of the night in small two-gallon picking trays, then hand-sorted in the vineyard and gently whole-cluster pressed at the winery. After pressing, the juice was put into barrels and underwent primary and malolactic fermentation in a combination of 30% new and 70% neutral French oak. This discrete use of new oak allowed the fruit to shine. This wine is comprised of a small-berried field selection chosen for its richness and sleek structure and low-yielding Wente for its luscious fruit and grace. These heritage field selections have full, complex flavors that are intensified by the small size of both the bunches and the berries.
Wine Details
Composition: Chardonnay
Clonal Selection: Hyde and Old Wente field selections
Appellation: Fort Ross-Seaview
Estate: Fort Ross Vineyard
Harvest Date: Sept. 13 - 19, 2020
Aging: 11 months in 30% new French oak
Bottling Date: End of August 2021; bottled unfined and unfiltered
Winemaker: Jeff Pisoni
Tasting Notes
Showcasing a dazzling golden hue as it cascades from bottle to glass, this spectacular representation of Sonoma Coast Chardonnay typifies the sun-drenched yet undeniably coastal characteristics of our world-class vineyard. It bursts with a distinctly masculine profile of poached Bosc pear and red apple skin while offering spicy notes of clove and toasted vanilla surrounded by a prominent core of crushed rock and sea air. As it coats the palate, this richly supple wine presents flavors of baked apple, golden plum, honeysuckle, and chamomile, balanced by unmistakable energy from fresh, crisp acidity. This Chardonnay represents the full potential of our dynamic site overlooking the Pacific Ocean from its swales to the high elevation blocks. Youthful exuberance and vibrancy bring the sensory experience full circle while the lengthy finish lingers endlessly.
[Information provided by Fort Ross Vineyard and Winery]
Region:
Sonoma Coast
Vintage:
2020
Grape:
Chardonnay
Country:
United States
Unit Size:
750.00 ML
Alcohol Percentage:
13.50
Appellation:
Fort Ross-Seaview