2015 Estate Chardonnay

Pale golden color. Pineapple fruit, braised pear, and fig aromas, sweet oak, and dried herbs. Tart apple fruit entry, pineapple, citrus, and an elegant texture; long, refreshing firm acid finish. EB (2/17)

Mild winter weather resulted in early budbreak. Spring rains affected bloom, reducing yields by one-third. A warm, fog-free summer ripened the crop for an early September harvest. In barrel, vineyard parcels were kept separate; at the tenth month, we assembled the most elegant lots. This out- standing vintage shows well defined mountain fruit and firm acidity. It will be most enjoyable over the next eight to ten years.

Ridge produced its first chardonnay in 1962 from fully-mature vines planted in the late 1940s on the Monte Bello estate vineyard. Production never exceeded ten barrels, and Monte Bello chardonnay was sold principally at the winery. Several great vintages, among them the 1973, ‘74, ‘79, and ‘84, showed that our cool climate and fractured limestone sub-soils were well suited to the varietal. By 1985, the old vines were producing less then a half-ton per acre and were taken out. The younger vines, planted in the ‘70s, provide the majority of grapes today. Initially these newer plantings were on the “lower” vineyard—not yet farmed as part of the Monte Bello estate—so the wine was called “Santa Cruz Mountains” and these vines have long since been included. Since 2009 the wine has been designated Ridge Estate Chardonnay. In years when differences among lots are sufficient to warrant a separate bottling, we make a limited amount of Monte Bello Chardonnay as well.

FIRST RIDGE CHARDONNAY SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS: 1985
FIRST RIDGE ESTATE CHARDONNAY (THE NEW DESIGNATION): 2009

Rainfall: 24.4 inches (below normal)
Bloom: May
Weather: Wet December & driest January on record; spring rains were below normal with warm temperatures. End of spring was cool with ocean fog and drizzle adding 3+ inches of rain allowing the vines to grow nicely. Moderate summer resulted in early ripening and we began picking in late-August.

Harvest Dates: 27 August – 10 September
Grapes: Average brix 24.0˚
Fermentation: Grapes are whole-cluster pressed and barrel fermented. Natural primary and natural secondary (malolactic) fermentations.
Selection: Ten of the twelve Estate Chardonnay parcels.
Barrels: 93% air-dried american oak, 7% french oak; 8% new, 35% one and two years old, 57% three, four and five years old.
Aging: Eleven months in first-fill, another five months extended settling in neutral barrels.

Sustainably farmed, 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 (30ppm initially to barrels, 44ppm over the course of aging). In keeping with our philosophy of minimal intervention, this is the sum of our actions.

Vinous Media (August 2017): 93 Points. “The 2015 Chardonnay Estate is a pretty powerful wine, especially by Ridge standards. Drought and poor weather during bloom resulted in a loss of 35% of the crop. As for the wine itself, well, it is fabulous. Rich and authoritative, but with good freshness, the 2015 has it all. Lemon confit, white flowers, apricot, mint and a hint of reduction from extended time on lees add nuance throughout. This is a superb showing. ” – Antonio Galloni

California Grapevine (June 2017): 91 Points. – Medium-light golden yellow; bright, melon, green apple, and tangerine aroma with mineral notes; medium-full body; crisp, clean, green apple flavors with firm acidity, mineral notes, and some richness in the mouthfeel; lingering aftertaste. Shows good balance and structure for bottle aging. Very highly recommended. (Group Score: 16.4, 0/2/0; My Score: 17 [91/100], second place)

Wine Spectator (July 2017): 92 Points. – “Minerally and intense, with plenty of buttery notes. This well-spiced version pivots around a core of baked apple and pear tart flavors. Fresh and juicy midpalate, featuring a finish loaded with dried fig accents. Drink now through 2022.” – KM

Average Rating: 91.3

No. of Tasting Notes: 84

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