Rodney Strong Chalk Hill
2008
Rodney Strong Chalk Hill (2008)
- Winery:
- Rodney Strong Vineyards More from this winery Are we missing a vintage?
- Region:
- USA » California » Sonoma Valley
- Varietal:
- Chardonnay
- Type:
- White Wine
Chemical Analysis:
| Total Acidity: 6.3 grams per liter |
Winemakers Notes
Wine Tasting Notes
The wine is both creamy and crisp, with abundant fruit character, mineral, and toasty oak flavors. Enjoy over the next 1-3 years.
Editorial Reviews
For 2008 Vintage
Nice citrus notes on the nose are joined by a backdrop of spice. The fruit scents are really quite penetrating with a lemon oil hard candy edge to them. There’s some lemon verbena and touch of talc here as well. Nice and edgy right up front with more lemony fruit on the palate which offers a nicely plush feel without being weighty or fat. The acid is vibrant and keeps this on a fine edge right through the palate and on to the moderately long finish, which shows a mellow suggestion of barrel aging. It’s all about the zesty citrus fruit presented in an uncomplicated, but not easy style that is very cleansing on the finish. This is really a great value. 90pts
Vineyard Notes
For the second year in a row, the 2008 vintage started off with a very dry spring, which typically produces smaller clusters, smaller berries, and less canopy overall. Frost visited many vineyards over several nights in April, further reducing potential yield. Then a hot spell engulfed the region in the middle of may, while grape clusters were flowering, again threatening to lower yields. The main growing season, however, was without incident, with warm to hot days and cool nights the rule. Hand-picked at night, this chardonnay was harvested between September 1 and September 25th.
Tasting Notes
Frequent stirring of the lees during barrel aging added a creamy texture to an already full-bodied wine, making for a rich, plush mouth feel, balanced with vibrant acidity. Powerful aromas of spiced apple, pear, and pie crust join minerally lemoncream and toasty oak on the palate, adding up to a compelling and thoroughly satisfying experience for true chardonnay lovers.
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Reviews for 2008 Vintage
Has some character. Heavier rich chardonnay.
Rich, buttery Chardonnay. A little spicy, and woody. Acidic, but combined with the right levels of heat, it's not too strong. Clean but moderately long finish.
Citrus and oak on the nose.
Nice and mild acid on the palate.
Well balanced.
Enjoyed it with fish.
I wish all cali chardonnay was made like this. Small kiss of vanilla oak with a touch of light bubbles. Well balanced and lighter bodied than expected with surprising soft acidity. Great sipper. Not really a food wine, which is fine. Just a really pleasant experience.
Visitors to the winery often ask what 'Reserve' chardonnay means to us. It's simple. Reserve means the winemaker's careful blend of individual wines made from time tested, meticulously farmed sections of some of the very best vineyards in Russian River Valley. Each lot is vinified separately in our finest barrels, and shortly after completion of malolactic fermentation, select lots are assembled in tank to facilitate flavor integration, and returned to barrels to finish aging. It literally is a matter of taste.
Rodney Strong Vineyards in Sonoma has some of the most extensive vineyard holdings in the county. To make their Reserve Chardonnay, winemaker’s Rick Sayre and David Ramey select individual grape lots from their best Russian River Valley vineyards. Each lot is individually barrel fermented in French oak. Frequent lees stirring during the 13 months of barrel aging adds a creamy texture and complexity. It's full-bodied and lush with tropical fruit and compelling richness.
Shows nice pineapple tart, lemondrop, buttered toast and vanilla oak flavors, brightened with crisp acidity. Finishes quick and could be more concentrated, but it's a very good elegant Chardonnay at a fair price.
Zesty acidity gives this medium-bodied wine plenty of vibrancy, highlighting the citrus and green apple flavors. Ends with a crisp aftertaste. Drink now through 2011.
Does a good job at expressing ripe, cool-climate Chardonnay character at a fair price. Creamy and smooth, it shows peach, pear, buttered toast and vanilla flavors, with a spicy finish.
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2008
2008
No minimum order. 10% discount on full case purchases (12x750ml) - some exclusions apply. Shipping &
2008
No minimum order. 10% discount on full case purchases (12x750ml) - some exclusions apply. Shipping &
2008
Unlimited shipping for a full year, just $49. Join our Steward-Ship program. See site for details.
2008
Unlimited shipping for a full year, just $49. Join our Steward-Ship program. See site for details.
2008
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