2018 Hawk Hill Chardonnay

VINEYARD NOTES

The Hawk Hill Vineyard, owned by Paul and Vicki Michalczyk, is situated in the far southwest corner of the Russian River Valley at an old stage coach stop. The vineyard hangs onto a steep south-facing hillside, bathed by regular fog cycles and coastal wind. One of the first vineyards to awaken in the spring, it is often one of the last to be harvested in the fall. Grapevines struggle to ripen their fruit at such a cool site, but meticulous viticulture practices and patience are rewarded with an opulent range of flavors and impressive complexity from the long hang time. Minerality and acidity are preserved in this climate, deftly complementing the richness captured from our winemaking.

WINEMAKER NOTES

We select clone 5 grapes from Hawk Hill that are hand-picked, sorted, whole-cluster pressed and barrel fermented with native yeast. The wine is aged in French oak
barrels, 20% new, for 15 months and undergoes 100% Malolactic fermentation before being bottled unfiltered.

TASTING NOTES

Lively aromas of grapefruit, white peach and orange blossom spring from the glass. Savory and rich layers of butterscotch and baked apple coat the palate with a fresh underlying acidity that is accented by nutmeg and oak. The finish has a touch of salinity and lingers.