The 2023 Russian River Chardonnay appears pale yellow in the glass, with hints of vanilla on the nose that dissipate into citrus, grapefruit, and Kiwi fruit on the palate, finishing long and full.
This is an outstanding wine, smooth and fresh-fruited with pronounced acidity. Use this Chardonnay as a benchmark for classic California Chards and Sonoma County specifically. Grapes were sourced from 7 old and new vine sites, whole cluster pressed, and aged on only 10% new oak.
The wine paired beautifully with garden-fresh basil pesto sauce and baked white fish on a bed of fusilli pasta. Plenty of fresh ground parmesan tied the pairing together.
Winemaker David Ramey, AKA “Professor Chardonnay”, describes this wine as delicious. That is an understatement, and I do concur. Read his wine character’s interview here.