2016 Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay

HOLD
DRINK
2019-2026 OPTIMAL DRINKING WINDOW
Russian River Valley Heintz Vineyard
RELEASE PRICE $65 Past Release

Winemakers Notes

The vibrant yellow color is attractive and excites the senses. Hints of yellow apple and cardamom dominate the nose, with subtle notes of fresh-cut pineapple and vanilla bean […]

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Technical Notes

TA 0.64g/100mL
pH 3.35
Alc. 14.3%
Sugar residual sugars...
Barrel Description 21% new, 11% 1 yr., 21% 2 yr., 47% 3+ yr.
Barrel Aged 15 months
Technical Notes PDF

Winemakers Notes

The vibrant yellow color is attractive and excites the senses. Hints of yellow apple and cardamom dominate the nose, with subtle notes of fresh-cut pineapple and vanilla bean layered underneath. Elements of wet stone and mango weave into the wonderful aromatics. There is excellent focus in the mouth, with flavors of pineapple, Gravenstein apple, and pear. A flavor and sensation of apple skin frames the richness of the mid-palate. The classic Goldridge dustiness captures the attention of the palate with a wonderfully broad and expansive finish. Another classic Heintz Chardonnay to enjoy now with fresh Dungeness crab.

Harvest Notes

The 2016 vintage was an excellent growing season, and started out as the previous four vintages; with a warm and dry winter. Above average temperatures and modest rainfall in the winter months brought a normal bud break in all growing regions. The main difference in 2016 was cooler temperatures in late February, and increasing rain totals in March that helped slow down vegetative growth. The net result was a slightly longer vegetative cycle, a slower grape maturation cycle, and therefore a later harvest compared to 2015. These events allowed for perfect maturation of the grape tannins and flavor development. Flowering happened under normal conditions with a slight cooling trend in May, which ultimately prevented blockbuster yields. Temperatures after fruit set were normal, but as veraison approached there were a few heat spikes that jumpstarted the ripening process. Harvest started with pleasant weather on August 10 in the Middle Reach Neighborhood vineyards (Westside Road). Weather in late August cooled, and by early September temperatures warmed up and dry conditions prevailed. The result was our core harvest was completed under ideal conditions by end of September. Overall, the wines from the 2016 vintage exhibit wonderfully polished tannins due to long and slow grape maturation on the vine.

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