Description
Rodney Strong was among the first to recognise the Russian River Valley as an ideal place to plant Chardonnay. The River West Vineyard is located on Westside Road, on a low riverside bench, in the far northern end of the Russian River Valley. The terrain is gently sloping and beautifully diverse, allowing each block to highlight the unique characteristics of this varietal. The soil is predominantly Yolo sandy-silt loam with pockets of gravelly Cortina, both well-draining soils that create an ideal atmosphere for beautifully developed grapes.
A cool and wet winter delayed bud break by 2-3 weeks, the season remained unusually cool which in turn pushed harvest back by over a month compared to 2022. This extra hang time on the vines led to an unexpected level of complexity and intensity.
Expect notes of yuzu, yellow peach, ripe pear, with hints of crème brûlée from sur lie aging in French oak.