Description
Our Riva Ranch Single Vineyard Chardonnay is a beautifully rich, yet balanced style of Chardonnay that represents what the Arroyo Seco appellation has to give. In addition to the classic Chardonnay aromas of apple and pear, Arroyo Seco consistently delivers aromas of tropical fruits and stone fruits. Thisisdistinctly a California style of Chardonnay but isconsistently well balanced with ample acidity. – Karl D. Wente, Fifth Generation WinemakerVINEYARDFor five generations our family has been dedicated to the art of winemaking and to the philosophy that the quality of a wine originates in the vineyard. Our Riva Ranch Single Vineyard ChardonnayissourcedexclusivelyfromourfamilysRiva Ranch Vineyardin Arroyo Seco, Monterey. Arroyo Seco, where we have been growing since the 1960s, is widelyregarded as oneofthebestplacesin CaliforniatogrowChardonnay. The cool growing season with the deep gravelly soil ripen the Chardonnay perfectly which gives naturalbalance of sugar and acidity. Recognized as Californias FirstFamily of Chardonnay, our family was the first in California to produce a varietally labeled Chardonnay made from ourWente clone. Today, many of thegreatChardonnay vineyardsin California are plantedwith the Wente clone which originatedfromour familys estate. We farmthe followingclonesfor our RivaRanch Chardonnay 2A, Clone 4, Dijon clones 95, 96, 76 and Old Wente Heritage Clones. Each clone offers different flavors, textures andaromatics to the finalblend.The2014vintage providedwonderfully complex wines that are textured and offer beautiful aromatic intensity.WINEMAKINGFERMENTATION To complement the rich fruit flavors, we barrel ferment about 90% of this wine in a combination of 60% new and 40% second use French and American oak barrels which adds notes of vanilla and spice and a softer, fuller mouthfeel. 10% is stainless steel fermented, preserving the natural vibrancy of the fruit. 100% malolactic fermentation.AGING The wine was aged sur lie for 10 months in the same French and American oakbarrels.Batonnage,theartofstirringthebarrels,isperformedeverytwoweeks.This adds a creamy note to the wine and enhances the texture.TASTING NOTES Displayingarichandperfectbalanceoftropicalfruit,acidityandcreamynotesofbutter, creme brulee, vanilla, and toasty oak from barrel aging, this Chardonnay has a rich, full mouth-feel and a balanced, long finish. – Wente Vineyards
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