2021 Estero, Russian River Valley Chardonnay

> Rock Juice <

Vintage 2021 saw another year of extreme drought in California and set the table for a record-small crop. The intelligent plants responded by setting very few clusters in the spring. The clusters that made it were miniaturized, doll-house, baby clusters. Growers were not pleased. Winemakers were though. Small yields = greater concentration. The 2021 Estero showcases our three perennial Russian River Valley vineyards farmed by John Balletto--one of them neighboring the esteemed Littorai estate on Burnside Road. We raised the wine in 600L neutral puncheon barrels, gave it five additional months in stainless steel barrels, and bottled an electrifying version of Estero that is sure to shake things up in the rather mainstream "Russian River Valley Chardonnay” category. This wine is more akin to our favorites from St. Aubin, Burgundy than to its neighbors on Vine Hill Road. Impressions of lemon oil, slate, celery leaves, crushed almonds, and ginger root make our mouths water for something like Za'atar chicken or Matt's favorite: a Gruyere omelette.