2007 Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay
Winemaker's Notes
Caramel, candied pineapples, Bosc pears, honeysuckle and lemon zest dictate the aromas of this blend. Rich and lush flavors of pineapples, pears, minerals, crème caramel, spice, and roasted pecans linger on the palate. Harmonious acids highlight the exotic fruit characteristics that become rich and creamy in your mouth. The silky concentration finishes with a tropical custard and mineral quality that lingers on and on.
—Winemaker Bob Cabral
Scores & Reviews
| Points | Publication | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 93 | Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar | May-June 2009 |
| 87 | Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine | June 2009 |
| 95 | Wine Enthusiast | August 2009 |
| 88 | California Grapevine | October-November 2009 |
The Vineyard
This vineyard site has belonged to the Heintz family for over 100 years. In 1980, it was planted with clone 4 Chardonnay. Located in the Russian River Valley town of Occidental, and sitting at an elevation of 1,000 feet, cool foggy evenings and warm sunny days allow the grapes an extended hang time, producing fruit with high acid levels that give great structure and balance to the wine.
Harvest 2007
The 2007 vintage has produced wines of extremely high quality, wines that are each brilliant expressions of their sites. The growing season was distinguished by its evenness with a cool finish. Bud break was at the usual time around the first part of March. A few frost days that Spring were of little concern as the vines grew at an orderly pace. Berry set was somewhat interrupted with light winds causing a small amount of shatter and unpollenated berries. The summer months were characterized by warm, sunny, near-perfect weather with very few heat spikes during the fruit ripening stage of the vine growth cycle. This resulted in very uniform ripening and optimal development of intense varietal flavors, aromas and expression. Moderately warm mid-August weather accelerated ripening and culminated in a Labor Day weekend of near perfect sunshine that launched a methodical and even paced harvest of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ready for picking. By late September, fog returned and the cool weather prevailed, temporarily stalling harvest, slowing the accumulation of sugar, and allowing phenolics and flavors to continue to develop in pace with the sugars. The break from the heat permitted the rest of the fruit to be picked at a gentle pace, at peak flavor and optimal maturity. Small berries delivered wines dark in color with exceptional concentration of flavors, aromas and ripe tannins. The wines of 2007 convey their unique characters in a manner more vivid, precise and evocative than we have come to anticipate. In a decade of exceptional vintages, this one really stands above all others.
Technical Notes
| Barrel Description: | 25% new, 25% 1-year-old, 25% 2-year-old, 25% 3+ year old |
|---|---|
| Barrel Aged: | 16 months |
| pH: | 3.35 |
| TA: | 0.72g/100ml |
| Alc.: | 14.7% |
| Release Date: | Spring 2009 |
| Release Price: | $50 |