Sonoma-Cutrer Vine Hill Chardonnay

Dry, rich and creamy, with balanced acidity. This is a medium- to full-bodied Chardonnay with ripe fruit and warm spice. The nose shows Bosc pear and apricot, with warm brioche and lemon zest. Hints of cardamom and crystallized ginger follow. The palate brings bright pear and orchard fruit, with clove and pie crust. French oak adds refined spice. The finish is long, graceful and balanced.

Vine Hill is Sonoma-Cutrer’s largest estate vineyard, about 400 acres on southwest-facing slopes in the heart of the Russian River Valley. Goldridge sandy loam soils and a steep rise from valley to ridge give each block its own character, and this bottling uses tightly spaced Dijon clone Chardonnay. The wine is 100% Chardonnay, fermented and aged in French oak barrels with regular lees stirring, and it goes through full malolactic fermentation for a creamy texture. It is bottled in a 750 mL bottle.