Toasted oak notes of caramel and spice, open up to reveal tree fruit aromas including ripe pear, dried apricot and Golden Delicious apples. A full-bodied wine with bright acidity, balanced with oak flavors showing as vanilla and sweet-oak through to the palate.
Rutherford Ranch
Chardonnay
Napa Valley
2019
- Aging: Stainless Steel and French Oak
- Alcohol: 14.5%
Vineyard Notes
The 2019 Growing Season started with an abundance of rainfall and late soil moisture. The long, warm summer saw very few extreme heat events, with foggy mornings setting the stage for vibrant and expressive wines. The long, relatively mild, finish to the season helped to preserve freshness and finesse in the fruit with abundant hang time teasing out great color, structure and soft tannins. Yields were average to a little below average. All in all, exceptional fruit with bright acidity and ample texture promises an amazing vintage.
Food Pairing Notes
This is a deliciously versatile wine. Enjoy as an aperitif or pair with chicken and grilled fish entrees, creamy vegetable soups or a selection of your favorite cheeses.
Production Notes
The winter of 2016-2017 broke the drought for most of California. Napa Valley received much needed rainfall throughout the season, totaling almost 60 inches of rain. The vines responded with full, healthy canopies for the long growing season. The weather was warm and sunny all season, which allowed the fruit to ripen at a slow and steady pace.
