1997

Chardonnay

Walker Station Vineyard,
Russian River Valley

Opalescent, yellow-gold color; intense aromas of apricots, honeysuckle, cinnamon/vanilla truffles, sweet jasmine and caramel; richly layered flavors, exotic fruit, honey-tangerines, peaches and cream with a hint of orange blossom beeswax. The mid-palate is expansive, voluminous; texture is supple and silky. This full-bodied wine boasts a long, rounded finish. Alcohol 14.6%.

93 points
Wine Spectator

Harvest Date September 29

Growing Season An excellent growing season. Bud break was early due to an unusually warm spring. A long summer of moderate temperatures gave the old-vine fruit time to ripen gracefully.

Winemaking

• Hand harvested grapes
• Whole cluster, direct to press
• Barrel fermented with indigenous yeast, 8 to 10 months to completion
• Concurrent native malolactic fermentation in barrels
• Barrel aged 14 months, 70% new French oak, sur lies and stirred
• Bottled unfined, unfiltered December 1998

Chardonnay

Walker Station Vineyard,Russian River Valley

Walker Station Vineyard,
Russian River Valley