2016 Russian River Chardonnay - Hook & Ladder Winery

Fresh apple pie, warm cinnamon, caramelized peach. Poached pear, buttercream frosting, lemon meringue filling. Toasted brioche and butter croissant, orchard blossom and honeysuckle. Rich buttery confections erupt with banana cream and vanilla cake in delicious dessert-like decadence. A drizzle of nutmeg, clove, and baking spices dusts the scene along with shaved citrus peel and a pineapple garnish. Broad, friendly, and unctuous, showcasing a clear focus on sex-appeal over subtlety. Full bodied and round with medium acidity and relatively good energy despite its ripeness. This 2016 Russian River Chardonnay by Hook & Ladder Winery is classic RRV Chardonnay crafted by one of the region's most influential families.

Cecil and Christine De Loach worked their way into the wine business when they purchased their first vineyard in the Russian River Valley area of Sonoma County in 1970. They would go on to found De Loach Vineyards in 1975 which grew into one of the most iconic wineries in the region. Although they eventually sold their namesake winery and some of their vineyards the De Loach family never quit making wine, and today they operate with that same intentionality as Hook & Ladder Winery. This bottling, crafted by Hook & Ladder Winery using Chardonnay sourced from within the Russian River Valley, exhibits the style that made the De Loach family so famous. It is luscious and well-oaked with a creamy and round mouthfeel. This is exactly the style of Chardonnay that has become a worldwide hallmark of California, and it remains quite delicious.