Dehlinger Winery Estate Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, California, 2017

Overview of the Wine
Dehlinger has long been recognized for its Russian River Valley Chardonnays, which are known for their balance, fresh acidity, and unctuous flavor.

Today, Dehlinger produces a single Estate Chardonnay bottling each vintage, originating from our eight acres of Chardonnay vines planted between 1975 and 1988. These old vines, grown in the region’s classic goldridge series soils, are grafted to the California heritage “Wente” clone, which produces small clusters and berries and has a notable minerality and almost oily viscosity.

Dehlinger’s Chardonnays are crafted using traditional techniques which preserve the flavor and elegance of the variety. At harvest, the grapes are picked at night, brought cold into the winery and “whole cluster pressed” to extract the highest quality juice. From there, the juice is fermented in French oak barrels using native yeasts. The wine gains further complexity through malolactic fermentation and a year of aging on the lees. Dehlinger has been bottling its Chardonnays “Unfiltered” since the late 1990s in order to capture the full flavor potential and most pleasing texture possible.

The Vineyard
Dehlinger’s estate vineyard is located just north of the town of Sebastopol and 13 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The vines dry farmed in the classic soil of the Russian River Valley: goldridge fine sandy loam. The vineyard is trained to an Open Lyre system—a split canopy which optimizes light and air exposure on the clusters. Our
Estate Chardonnay is blended from our three old-vine Chardonnay blocks grown in goldridge soil. These heritage Chardonnay vines are grafted to Wente clone – a small-clustered strain of Chardonnay known for its minerality and oily-textured wines.

Grape / Blend
100% Chardonnay

Origin
Russian River Valley, California, 

Tasting Notes

The 2017 Estate Chardonnay is barrel fermented with native yeast in just over one third new French oak, then aged on the lees and bottled unfiltered to optimize texture and flavor. Aromas of lemon custard and white peach, flavors of lime zest and toasted hazel nut. Excellent length, fresh, flavorful.

Product Size: 750ml