Please enjoy 2 bottles of Rodney Strong Vineyards 2017 Chalk Hill Chardonnay

HISTORY
In 1965, our founder Rod Strong was the first to plant Chardonnay in what would later be recognized as the Chalk Hill American Viticultural Area (AVA), established officially in 1983. He recognized the region as distinct from the rest of Russian River Valley for its unique, volcanically-derived, chalky white ash soils, which impart a subtle mineral character to wines grown there.

THE VINEYARDS
Storms in late winter gave the vines plenty of water that they would need in the early spring. Warm days from late winter into spring induced the vines into bud break a little earlier than normal. The weather alternated between cool and warm periods throughout the summer, with a few heat spells here and there. Veraison came in July, and sugars slowly accumulated in the berries with the warm sunny days leading up to harvest. We walked each vineyard block, sampling berries, noting the changes in the acid, sugar and tannin levels, as well as looking for the signs that vines give when the fruit is ripe and the vineyard ready to be picked. Harvest commenced as the fruit from each block tasted optimally ripe and delicious.

Critical Acclaim
RP91Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2017 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast is scented of lemon confit, Greek yogurt, honey toast, toasted almonds and stone over ripe red apple and white stone fruits. Medium-bodied, it offers pretty savory/honeyed fruits with refreshing acidity and a long finish packed with honey-nut flavors.