2006
Paul Hobbs Chardonnay, Ulises Valdez Vineyard Russian River Valley
Winemaker's Notes
Opalescent pale yellow color accompanies a nose brightly scented with green apple and lemon meringue. The boldly-structured, full-bodied palate comes alive on the tongue in a harmonious weave of Asian pear and guava with exotic overtones of green tea and chamomile. A soupçon of honeysuckle complements the spice and flint that resonate through the lengthy finish. Alcohol 14.8%
Vineyard
Owner/Manager
Ulises Valdez
Vineyard
Ulises Valdez Vineyard
Appellation
Russian River Valley
Clones
Wente, Robert young
Vineyard Age
Planted in 2002
Site
Goldridge, well drained, brown sandy loam soils
Yield
3.2 tons/acre
Harvest
Harvest Date
October 14
Harvest Brix
24.3°
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.
Winemaking
• Hand-harvested grapes
• Whole cluster, direct to press, cold
• Barrel fermented with indigenous yeasts; 4 months to completion
• Concurrent spontaneous malolactic fermentation in barrels
• Aged 15 months in French oak barrels; 68% new
• Aged on the lees; biweekly bâtonnage
• Unblended, unfined and unfiltered; bottled January 2008
