From one of the coldest vineyards we work with, this increasingly famous site sits on a high ridge just east of the town of Occidental. Savory aromas of redwood and sous bois coupled with kiwi fruit convey a high level of complexity. A note of toasted coffee cake delivers opulence and complements the broad, mouth-watering palate. As always, the Bootlegger’s Hill Chardonnay finishes with taut, finely sculpted acidity. This zingy acid bodes well for the wine’s aging potential.
The 2023 vintage in Sonoma began with replenishing rains during the winter and spring months. This was a welcome event for growers since the previous three years saw varying degrees of drought. Spring followed with staggered budbreak and flowering, then a cool June. Warm summer days followed and sized up the berries, but cool weather returned in September, with average highs not exceeding 80 degrees F. This delayed harvest by 3-4 weeks. The tension was high with the impending risk of late season botrytis. However, the weather held, and the resulting crop delivered the poise expected from a gradual, cool vintage.
Situated eight miles from the chilly Pacific Ocean, Bootlegger’s Hill is a very cool site, with shallow Goldridge soils that produce low yields of very small-berried clusters with high acidity. This wine was made entirely from a prized west-facing block of Hyde-Wente clone Chardonnay grown on 420A rootstock.
Type:
White
Region:
California
Appellation:
Russian River Valley
Vintage:
2023
Blend:
100% Chardonnay
Aging:
100% Burgundian French oak barrels (25% New, 75% 1 and 2 year old); all 3 year aged staves; Sur lie aged with regular stirring
Alcohol:
14.5%
Fermentation:
100% indigenous yeast fermentations; 100% malo-lactic fermentation in barrel
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