At the table with Russian River Ranches Chardonnay 2023
Roast chicken with cream and morels, scallops pan-fried in brown butter, green asparagus risotto, grilled lobster, fruity Comté.
Our wines for
Let's talk little, let's talk wine
Russian River Ranches Chardonnay 2023Sonoma-Cutrer
This cuvée is made in the Sonoma Coast appellation, in California, from six estate vineyards and a small selection of partner growers, largely located around the Russian River Valley. Pacific fog cools the nights and afternoons here, which lengthens ripening. The late 2023 vintage benefited from abundant winter rain then a cool summer before a hot, dry October, a guarantee of fine balance.
The grapes are picked in the early morning, hand-sorted and then whole-cluster pressed. After a few days of settling, the juice ferments 75% in oak barrels and 25% in stainless-steel tanks, with full malolactic fermentation. The wine is then aged on the lees for 9 months in French oak barrels, 14% of them new.
This wine reveals notes of Meyer lemon, green apple, Bosc pear, pineapple, white flowers, toasted almond, sweet spices and wet stone. Citrus and white fruit open the bouquet, lifted by a floral touch and discreet oak. The palate, carried by lemony acidity, rounds out into a velvety texture and a long finish with hints of pear.
Where are we traveling?
Sonoma CoastUnited States
It is located less than an hour's drive north of San Francisco, stretching over 80 kilometers along the Pacific coastline of Sonoma County, from Bodega Bay in the south to the Mendocino border in the north. The vineyards unfold on steep, windy hillsides, often planted on slopes between 200 and 500 meters above sea level, in a spectacular landscape of redwood forests, wave-beaten cliffs, and wild meadows plunging towards the ocean. The appellation, created in 1987, was long considered too vast and heterogeneous, until a handful of visionary winemakers—David Hirsch, the Martinellis, and later figures like Ted Lemon of Littorai—demonstrated in the 1990s and 2000s that the areas most exposed to the Pacific, known as "true Sonoma Coast" or "extreme Sonoma Coast," produced wines of incomparable intensity and depth. The climate is harsh and maritime, dominated by persistent fogs, violent Pacific winds, and cool temperatures that significantly slow the ripening of the grapes, forcing winemakers to exercise a patience and risk-taking that few Californian regions demand. Sonoma Coast has risen to become an absolute benchmark for Californian Pinot Noir, producing taut, saline wines with an earthy complexity that rival the best Burgundian crus, alongside chiseled and mineral Chardonnays, vibrant and spicy Syrahs, and a raw energy that conveys all the wild power of this coastline.
The little history of the country
United States
In the United States, 90% of the wine produced comes from California. It was the influx of gold prospectors to California that boosted the California wine industry in the mid-19th century, particularly in the Sonoma and Napa region. At the start of the 20th century, there were 800 wineries. From 1919 to 1933 Prohibition destroyed the vast majority of the California wine industry so that by 1933, only 140 wineries remained producing wine. It was only from 1960 that the wine industry began to recover from Prohibition and California was primarily known for the production of fortified wines (in the style of Port). It was also in the 1960s that some of the most famous estates were created (Mondavi, Heitz Wine Cellars, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, etc...).
In 1976, a significant event took place: the legendary tasting competition better known as the "Judgment of Paris". He sees the greatest French wines opposing the new American wines. This May 24, an unexpected result shakes the world of wine, since to everyone's surprise, it is the United States which wins. However, this competition remains relatively unknown to the general public.
Today, there is no doubt that the United States produces great wines. Even though California largely monopolizes the reputation of American wines with its excellent Zinfandels, the state of Oregon produces some of the best Pinot Noir in the world and the state of Washington offers excellent Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet-Sauvignon.
All about Russian River Ranches Chardonnay 2023
At what temperature should Russian River Ranches Chardonnay 2023 be served?
Between 10 and 12 °C.
How long can Russian River Ranches Chardonnay 2023 be kept?
Ageing potential: 1 to 5 years, until around 2028. Store the bottle lying down, away from light, at around 12 °C.
Which grapes make up Russian River Ranches Chardonnay 2023?
Grapes: 100% Chardonnay. Origin: California, United States. Alcohol: 13.8%.
What to serve with Russian River Ranches Chardonnay 2023?
Russian River Ranches Chardonnay 2023 pairs well with shellfish, hard cheese, vegetarian dishes and white meat. Our dish ideas are in the food pairing box at the top of the page.