2008 Santa Cruz Mountains Estate Chardonnay

2008 Santa cruz mountains estate chardonnay

Varietal Information

bottled January 2010
100% chardonnay
14.4% alcohol by volume

History

Ridge produced its first chardonnay in 1962 from fully mature vines planted in the late 1940s on the Monte Bello estate vineyard. In the '60s, we replanted a number of the abandoned 19th century vineyards to cabernet sauvignon, but did not extend the chardonnay planting. Production never exceeded ten barrels, and the Monte Bello chardonnay was sold principally at the winery. Several great vintages, among them the 1973, '74, '79, and '84, showed that our cool climate and fractured limestone sub-soils were well suited to the varietal. By 1985, the old vines were producing less than a half-ton per acre; the younger ones, planted in the 70s, were providing the majority of grapes. These newer plantings were on the "lower" vineyard, which was not yet farmed as part of the Monte Bello estate, so the wine was designated "Santa Cruz Mountains". The vines are now included in the estate, and produce a Santa Cruz Mountains Estate Chardonnay annually. In years when differences among the twelve small lots are sufficiently pronounced to warrant a separate bottling, we make a limited amount of Monte Bello Chardonnay as well.

Vintage

Harvest Dates: 4 - 15 September

Grapes: Average Brix 23.9 degrees

Fermentation: Whole-cluster pressed and barrel fermented. No inoculation. Natural primary and year-long secondary (malolactic).

Selection: Seven of the ten Monte Bello Vineyard chardonnay parcels or fractions thereof.

Aging: Air-dried oak (26% new, 48% one and two years, 26% three, four and five years old)

Time in Barrel: Sixteen months

Growing Season

Rainfall: 30 inches (just below average)
Bloom: Early June
Weather: Moderate summer and fall, long cool growing season.

Winemaker Tasting Notes

Pale, translucent golden hue. Fresh-sliced pear, green apple; orange blossom, apricot, wet stone/mineral. Lively acid balances rich tropical fruit in a long finish. EB (3/10)

Tasting Notes and Reviews