Russian River Valley

Vintage Notes

The 2021 vintage showcased the advantages of growing grapes on the coast in a drought year. Where some parts of the state were abnormally warm, the coast remained moderate and stable, allowing for winemaking-through-farming. We were able to carefully manage tonnage and let the fruit hang precisely as long as we wished, developing full phenolic ripeness while still preserving the acidic quality that is so characteristic of the coast. Of course, drought means less water, but the lack of severe heat days on the coast meant the vines, though water-stressed, were not overly so. Overall, look forward to a banner year for Pinot and Chardonnay, with wines that will be bright, concentrated, and age-worthy.

Winemaker Notes

“The 2021 Senses Russian River Valley Chardonnay bursts from the glass with gregarious notes of apricot preserves, green mango, and passion fruit, plus suggestions of crème brulée, cashews, and brioche. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers a seductively decadent, satiny texture, coating the mouth with tropical fruit and honey-nut flavors, finishing with impressive length and vivacity. Talk about over-delivering!”- 93pts, Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW