2009 Gary Farrell Westside Farms Russian River Valley Chardonnay

14.2% alc., pH 3.36, TA 0.68, 916 cases, $38. Released May 1, 2011. Sourced from growers Ron and Pam Kaiser’s 40-acre vineyard that sits on the banks of the Russian River, just four miles from the Gary Farrell winery. The Chardonnay vines are clone 4 planted in 1989. Whole-cluster pressed, racked to 100% French oak barrels (43% new, 47% 1-year-old, and 10% 2-year-old), aged sur lie for 7 months. 100% malolactic fermentation. · Light straw color in the glass. Aromas of warm baked apple, butter brickle, flint and marzipan. Moderately intense flavors of baked green apples, lemon curd, hazelnuts and buttered toast with slightly dry tannins and some length on the acid-driven finish. Very good. Reviewed July 23, 2012

Winery: Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery
From article: Tasting Pinot with Plenty of Noir