2021 Ridge Chardonnay Estate

Tropical fruit aromas of guava and pineapple with hints of toasted marshmallow and lavender. Flavors of pear, white peach and key lime. A weighty entry that is balanced by lively acidity brings complexity and elegance to this lovely wine. Enjoyable upon release and over the next six to seven years. TG (11/22)

Rainfall was scarce through the winter months with less than 15 inches of rain. Spring and summer temperatures allowed for slow and even ripening. Harvest began in late August; we picked steadily over the next three weeks. Whole cluster pressed, barrel fermented and sur lees aged for nine months, this complex, elegant chardonnay will be enjoyable over the next six years. TG (11/22)

A dry winter and spring stressed the vines, limiting yields and concentrating flavors. Harvest was early, accelerated by a heat wave in early September. For the first time in our 50+ year history we finished our Monte Bello harvest before Lytton Springs.

Fermentation: Grapes were whole-cluster pressed and barrel fermented. Natural primary and natural secondary (malolactic) fermentations.
Barrels: 60% air-dried American oak, 40% French oak (24% new, 5% one year old, and 71% two to three years old).
Aging: Fifteen months in barrel

Hand-harvested estate-grown Monte Bello Vineyard grapes; whole-cluster pressed; fermented on the native yeasts; full malolactic on the naturally-occurring bacteria; oak from barrel aging; minimum effective sulfur for this wine (35 ppm at crush, 82.7 ppm over the course of aging); pad filtered at bottling. In keeping with our philosophy of minimal intervention, this is the sum of our actions.