Growing Conditions
Called “one of the great Grand Cru Char- donnay sites in California” by Robert Parker, the Charles Heintz Vineyard sits upon a ridgetop along the rocky Sonoma County coastline. The 30-year-old vines, planted on the desirable Gold Ridge Sandy Loam top-soils, ripen slowly, cooled each evening by the fog that rolls in from the nearby Pacific ocean. This slow, even ripening process results in beautifully balanced wines with fully developed flavors and fresh acidity. The vineyard site has been in the Heintz family for over 100 years, and since its planting in 1982 has become a name synonomous with the best of California Chardonnay.
2016 will go down as one of the great vintages of the past decade. The growing season got off to an early start, with bud break occurring in some areas by the beginning of February. Flowering began about a month later, rains stunted cluster devel- opment in a few vineyards, making for smaller berries and clus- ters therefore intensifying flavors. Moderate weather prevailed throughout summer. The lack of extreme heat waves kept sugar levels and phenolic maturity in balance. Ripening progressed slowly and predictably.
Winemaking
Explosive aromas of warm stone fruit, apple tart, honeyed brioche and crème brulee. Rich oily lemon palate, Meyer lemon crema and driving acidity creating a juicy finish complemented by citrus zest-rind and mineral.
100% Chardonnay 30+ years old
Aging
100% Barrel Fermentation; Full Malolactic; 100% French Oak; 40% New
