Product Description
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Alexander Valley Vineyard, Estate, Chardonnay, 2024, Alexander Valley, Sonoma, California, America
Producer Profile
After purchasing the historic Cyrus Alexander homestead, Harry and Maggie Wetzel strived to create a thriving agricultural lifestyle on the property. They raised their children along with their vines in Alexander Valley, providing inspiration and encouragement as they developed the estate together.
Decades later, the fourth generation of their family is growing up amongst vineyards and next door to the working winery that is known around the world as “AVV”. You could call it a family tradition. The Wetzel Family would be inclined to agree.
Winemaker Kevin Hall is constantly adapting to the rhythms of nature, the readiness of the vineyards and the evolution of the individual wines. While their vineyards provide the sense of terroir and consistent character of fruit, the winemaking staff provide the invaluable experience. Their work is constant and crucial; topping up the barrels to minimize air contact as they develop, monitoring and measuring the young wines as they progress, and tasting, tasting, tasting. Decades of experience tying vineyard and winery together give AVV total control of wine production, resulting in rich, complex wines that showcase a truly robust sense of place.
Viticulture
Their location in the southern end of the Alexander Valley is defined by the Russian River. Morning fog, warm days, and daily diurnal temperature swings of 40 to 50 degrees provide the ideal growing conditions for Chardonnay.
2024 may well be one of the best vintages in the past fifty years. Abundant winter rainfall, a cool spring, and warm temperatures during the peak growing season combined with late summer mild temperatures and cool nights enabled the grapes to achieve a beautiful balance of high acidity and layered flavours at harvest in early September.
Winemaking
70% of the Chardonnay is harvested at night when the grapes are cool to retain the natural acidity, then cold ferment those lots in stainless steel, without malolactic fermentation or barrel aging, to highlight the citrus and green apple flavours. 30% of the best fruit is whole-cluster pressed and barrel fermented in French oak barrels. The barrel fermented lots then undergo secondary malolactic fermentation and are aged on the lees for six to eight months to develop roundness and body.
Tasting Note
The 2024 is a full-bodied Chardonnay that showcases our vineyard site and winemaking style. Aromas of apple, pear, vanilla along with floral notes and hint of oak from the minimal barrel aging fill the glass. Bright flavours of pear, apple, nectarine, juicy peach, and tropical fruits along with slight citrus notes are balanced by the rich mouthfeel and slight minerality on the finish.
Goes well with
Alexander Valley Vineyards Chardonnay is a rich, fruit-forward California white with crisp acidity, apple/pear notes, and creamy oak. Pair it with roasted poultry, buttery shellfish, creamy pasta dishes, or mild artisan cheeses to perfectly complement the wine’s body and texture.
Cellaring
3 – 5 years with careful cellaring.
Features
Varieties: Chardonnay 100%
Colour: White
ABV: 14%
Closure: Natural cork
Style: Still
Case Size: 6 x 75cl
Country: America
Region: Sonoma, California
Vintage: 2024
