Sonoma-cutrer Russian River Ranches Estate Bottled Chardonnay

”OBSERVATIONS ON A NEW VINTAGE The 2015 growing season was again incredibly dry and a continuation of the California drought for a record fourth year. Using deficit irrigation concepts and careful soil and plant moisture data we came through the season without water shortages. Throughout most of the growing season we paced about two weeks earlier than our average including another classic California spring and summer without any weather extremes. Our Chardonnay harvest began a week earlier than normal on August 17th. The following two and a half weeks saw the return of fog and cooler weather moderating the ripening and pace of harvest. Across the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast the perfectly ripening fruit was not quite ready to pick until a hot spell arrived just after Labor Day. The last of the fruit for this vintage finally arrived at the winery on September 24th. The delay in ripening allowed for additional hang time on the vine and the fruit developing beautiful flavo