2020 Ridge Estate Chardonnay, Sonoma

Grapes are whole-cluster pressed and barrel fermented. Natural primary and natural secondary (malolactic) fermentations.

80% air-dried American oak barrels, 20% French Oak (15% new, 20% one year-old, 40% three years-old, and 25% five years-old).

Aged Fourteen months in barrel

Hand-harvested estate-grown Monte Bello vineyard grapes; whole-cluster pressed; fermented on the native yeasts; full malolactic on the naturally occurring bacteria; oak from barrel aging; minimum effective sulfur for this wine (35 ppm at crush, 71 ppm over the course of aging); pad filtered at bottling. In keeping with the philosophy of minimal intervention, this is the sum of actions.

Golden straw color, notes of citrus, vanilla and apple on the nose. Medium to full-bodied on the palate with pear fruit, good minerality, a hint of honey and a long clean finish.

“Bold, with wonderful intensity, this white features a core of peach, pineapple and toasted spice notes that show overtones of salted butterscotch. The body is buttery and smooth, with a hint of white flowers and Honecrisp apple on the finish, while a touch of beeswax and nutmeg lingers. Drink now through 2030.”

Wine Spectator: 94 Points - M.W. (May 2022)

 “There’s a stunningly flinty aroma to the nose of this bottling, like smoke from chiseled granite, as well as hints of citrus peel. The palate grabs hold with a grippy tension, carrying flavors of crushed stones, singed lemon pith and light oak spice.”

Wine Enthusiast: 94 Points - Matt Kettmann (June 2022)