2004
Paul Hobbs Chardonnay, Ulises Valdez Vineyard Russian River Valley
Winemaker's Notes
After blending fruit from this impressive vineyard for several years into our Russian River Valley Chardonnay, we were compelled to let the 2004 vintage stand on its own as a vineyard designate. Our inaugural vintage from Ulises Valdez vineyard is an opulent chardonnay—pale gold in the glass and perfumed with white peach and orange peel. The palate is richly textured and mouth-filling, with flavors of ripe red apple, guava and mandarin orange followed by a long, crisp finish.
Vineyard
Owner/Manager
Ulises Valdez
Vineyard
Ulises Valdez Vineyard
Appellation
Russian River Valley
Clones
Wente, Robert young
Vineyard Age
5 years
Site
Goldridge, well drained, brown sandy loam soils
Yield
1 – 2.5 tons /acre
Harvest
Harvest Date
September 6-7, 2004
Harvest Brix
25.1°
Growing Season
The growing season began with warm dry weather in spring resulting in early bud break. A long summer of even temperatures had a moderating effect, lowering yields and developing complexity in the fruit. A week of heat in late summer resulted in an early harvest and lush, concentrated wines.
Winemaking
• Hand-harvested grapes
• Whole cluster, direct to press, cold
• Barrel fermented with indigenous yeasts; 2 months to completion
• Concurrent spontaneous malolactic fermentation in barrels; 2 to3 months to completion
• Aged 16 months in Francois Freres, Remond and Cadus French oak barrels; 75% new
• Aged sur lies and stirred monthly
• Unblended, unfined and unfiltered; bottled January 2006
