2005
Paul Hobbs Chardonnay, Ritchie Vineyard Russian River Valley
Winemaker's Notes
This chardonnay from Kent Ritchie’s long-revered vineyard makes a striking new addition to our collection of small production chardonnays. It exhibits rich aromas of ripe white peach and crème brulee on the nose. A boldly-structured palate of golden apple and tropical fruits yields to clean minerality over a toasty finish. Alcohol 14.8%
Vineyard
Owner/Manager
Kent Ritchie
Vineyard
Ritchie Vineyard
Appellation
Russian River Valley
Clones
Wente, Ritchie selection
Vineyard Age
34 years
Site
Shallow mixture of volcanic pumice and subclass of goldridge mixed with small pebbles.
Yield
1.4 tons /acre
Harvest
Harvest Date
September 30
Harvest Brix
24.6°
Growing Season
Extended, cool spring weather resulted in late bud break. An ideal, long, temperate growing season followed, allowing for slow, full and even ripening of the fruit. Harvest began later than usual. The resulting wines can be characterized as rich and elegant with gorgeous aromatics.
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; 5 months to completion
• Aged 15 months in French oak barrels; 70% new (Francois Freres, Remond and Damy).
• Aged sur lies and batonnage biweekly.
• Unblended, unfined and unfiltered; bottled January 2007
