2006
Paul Hobbs Chardonnay, Ritchie Vineyard Russian River Valley
Winemaker's Notes
Our second vintage from Kent Ritchie’s heralded Russian River Valley vineyard adds a dynamic dimension of vibrant acidity to its decadent tropical palate. Glistening pale gold in the glass and perfumed with lychee and white peach, the 2006 is a richly-textured, sleek and well-structured offering. Its mouth-filling palate offers beautifully delineated layers of apple and guava, with yeasty notes of toasted brioche, pineapple and harvest spice to complement a racy finish. Alcohol 14.8%
Vineyard
Owner/Manager
Kent Ritchie
Vineyard
Ritchie Vineyard
Appellation
Russian River Valley
Clones
Old Wente, Ritchie selection
Vineyard Age
Planted in 1971
Site
Shallow mixture of volcanic pumice and subclass of goldridge mixed with small pebbles.
Yield
1.6 tons/acre
Harvest
Harvest Date
October 2
Harvest Brix
24.8°
Growing Season
2006 was slightly cooler overall than 2005 and began with delayed bud break due to a long, wet spring. The weather warmed in May, continuing through summer and into fall to provide the extended growing season needed for fruit to ripen fully. Ritchie Vineyard was harvested on October 2, escaping mid-harvest rains that arrived the following week and posed the potential for botrytis in the vineyard.
Winemaking
• Hand-harvested grapes
• Whole cluster, direct to press, cold
• Barrel fermented with indigenous yeasts; 3 months to completion
• Concurrent spontaneous malolactic fermentation in barrels; 3 months to completion
• Aged 16 months in French oak barrels; 74% new (Francois Freres, Sirugue, Seguin Moreau and Damy).
• Aged sur lies and batonnage biweekly
• Unblended, unfined and unfiltered; bottled January 2008
