2015 Pellegrini Unoaked Chardonnay
Press Democrat's Wine of the Week!
Wine Specs
Vintage
2015
Varietal
Chardonnay
Appellation
Russian River Valley
Harvest Date
September 7-9, 2015
Acid
7.40 g/L
pH
3.3
Fermentation
Stainless Steel
Bottling Date
April 18, 2016
Alcohol %
14
Wine Specs
Vintage
2015
Varietal
Chardonnay
Appellation
Russian River Valley
Harvest Date
September 7-9, 2015
Acid
7.40 g/L
pH
3.3
Fermentation
Stainless Steel
Bottling Date
April 18, 2016
Alcohol %
14
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
Chardonnay’s true personality shines in this radiant unoaked Chardonnay. Aromas of lemon zest, crisp apple, ripe peach and mango are adorned with floral blossoms. Profuse citrus, orchard and tropical fruit flavors are balanced by vibrant acidity. The intricate mouthfeel displays lush textures and enduring brilliance. Drink now and for the three years to enjoy the its fruit is in full bloom.
Awards
91 points - Pinot File, October 2016
90 points - Anthony Dias Blue, August 2016
4 stars, Wine of the Week - Santa Rosa Press Democrat, September 2017
Vineyard Notes
The Russian River Valley is an outstanding region for growing Chardonnay with exceptional finesse. The Russian River Valley growing season in 2015 started with a mild spring and early bud break followed by summer of moderately warm and even temperatures and finished with a couple of cool, foggy weeks ending August. The extended ripening period allowed fruit to develop to perfect maturity with spectacular fruit character. The Russian River Chardonnays of this vintage display particularly expressive flavors along with their characteristically elegant acidity.
Production Notes
The Russian River Valley is an outstanding region for growing Chardonnay with distinctive elegance. Russian River Valley wines produced in the 2015 vintage are scant in quantity but spectacular in quality. Potential crop yields were lowered by cold spring weather during bloom. The leading and following months were unseasonably warm and dry, promoting early bud break and early veraison, then hastening ripening in this light crop. After a mid-August peak, temperatures dropped dramatically to end the month with cool nights and foggy mornings. This opportune chilling served to prolong the ripening period, allowing fruit to develop to perfect maturity with impressive fruit intensity. The Russian River Chardonnays of this vintage show extravagant fruit along with their typical graceful acidity.
Winemaker Notes
To make the purest possible expression of Chardonnay, we harvested a touch early to ensure clean and vivid fruit. Grapes were hand-picked in the cool early morning hours and carefully pressed whole cluster with care to minimize extraction of harsh tannins. An especially long, cool fermentation and aging in stainless steel maintained the fresh fruit flavors and delicate floral aromas. This wine gets its complexity and rich texture from sur lie aging with lees stirring. No oak, no malolactic conversion. Pure Chardonnay.
Food Pairing Notes
The Pellegrini Unoaked Chardonnay is the wine to pour year round as it has the brightness to pair with cold salads or grilled fish and the rich complexity to complement creamy sauced pork or chicken. This wine will shine with shrimp and lemon risotto.
