Region: California
Grape variety: Chardonnay

Background: The 2020 Hartford Court Russian River Valley Chardonnay is sourced from a collection of small vineyards located throughout the Russian River Valley AVA.
These vineyards are a combination of our Estate properties such as Jennifer’s, Fog Dance, Bellflower, and Arrendell as well as a handful of our neighbours’ vineyards located in the heart of the Russian River Valley.
The sites express the essence of the Russian River Valley by showcasing the best of the sub-regions within our AVA:
- Middle Reach – Ripe fruits, honeysuckle and jasmine characters.
- Green Valley – Citrus, lemon drop candy and green apple aromas and flavours.
- Laguna Ridge – Baked apple and pear, layered texture, crystallized ginger finish.
- Sebastopol Hills – Bright citrus oil aromatics with focused acidity and lemon-lime flavours.
- Santa Rosa Plains – Rich citrus and apple aromas with round, long texture.

Each sub-region brings complexity and character to the final blend.

Tasting notes: This Chardonnay offers subtle aromas of jasmine flower, citrus oil, green apple, and pear. The elegant aromatics are complemented by fresh kiwi, lemon drop, and green apple flavours. The fruit-focused mid-palate is followed by subtle mineral notes and a hint of crystallized ginger in the finish.

Awards
Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, July 2022 - 92 Points - Editor’s Choice - Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2020: "With a big, rich opening of toasted oak, this crowd-pleasing wine delivers tropical richness and intensity around a spicy complement of baking spice and vanilla. It is well made and balanced within a full-bodied style."

Robert Parker Wine Advocate: 92 Points - Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2019: “Barrel fermented and matured 10 months in 28% new oak. It's composed of a blend of fruit from neighbourhoods across the Russian River Valley: Middle Reach, Green Valley, Laguna Ridge, Santa Rosa Plain and Sebastopol Hills. It has a nose of white peaches and lime peel with touches of toast, dark spice and roasted almonds. The palate is lush and satiny, with hedonistic, spicy fruits and fresh acidity that makes this super easy to drink!”

2019: 91 points K.M., Wine Spectator, December 2021
2019: 94 points V.B., Wine Enthusiast, November 2021
2019: 91 points A.G., Vinous, July 2021
2019: 93 points J.D., JebDunnuck.com, July 2021
2019: 91 points L.P.-B, Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, January 2021
2018: 94 points V.B., Wine Enthusiast, July 2020
2018: 91+ points L.P.-B, Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, February 2020
2017: 94 points J.D., JebDunnuck.com, June 2019
2016: 92 points L.P.-B, Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, October 2018
2016: 93 points V.B., Wine Enthusiast, August 2018

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