2014 RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY the Gallo Signature Series Honors an Extraordinary Journey Begun by the Gallo Family in 1933
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VINTAGE 2014 RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY The Gallo Signature Series honors an extraordinary journey begun by the Gallo family in 1933. Today, with some of California’s best grapes at her fingertips, third‐generation winemaker Gina CHARDONNAY Gallo has created a collection of wines that could only be crafted from the Gallo family’s unique combination of vineyards. These wines mark a return to hands‐on winemaking for Gina, and they bring to life the enduring legacy of Ernest and Julio Gallo. VARIETAL CONTENT: 100% CHARDONNAY APPELLATION(S): RUSSIAN RIVER ABOUT THE RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY ................................................................................................ VALLEY Spanning 150 square miles in the heart of Sonoma County, the Russian River Valley has 15,000 ALCOHOL LEVEL:14.5 % acres planted to wine grapes. Cool fog from the Pacific Ocean drifts into the valley through the RESIDUAL SUGAR: .16G/100ML Petaluma Wind Gap, tempering the warm, sunny days here and giving the grapes a lengthy TITRATABLE ACIDITY: .55 G/ 100ML growing season. P H : 3 . 4 2 ABOUT LAGUNA RANCH VINEYARD ................................................................................................ A majority of the grapes for our Russian River Valley Chardonnay come from our family’s historic Laguna Ranch Vineyard. Nestled in the Russian River Valley AVA and named for the Laguna de Santa Rosa, the largest tributary of the Russian River, Laguna Ranch Vineyard rests just 12 miles from the Pacific Ocean and its cooling, maritime influence. The soil is a combination of gravelly and sandy loam formed from soft sandstone on ancient coastal terraces, known as the Sebastopol Series. Once an apple orchard, this vineyard has exceptional terroir that yields cool‐climate Chardonnay with robust flavors and a crisp acidity. VITICULTURE NOTES ................................................................................................ The 2014 Russian River Valley growing season was truly exceptional and evenly-paced. February rains made way for a dry and mild spring and a warm summer with sun-filled days and cool, fog-shrouded nights. Though harvest began early, fruit had ample time to develop complex ripe fruit notes, crisp acidity and incredible balance. WINEMAKING NOTES ................................................................................................ Our balanced yet intensely fruity Gallo Signature Series Chardonnay opens with aromas of freshly baked bread and honey. Crafted with fruit grown in our estate vineyards, this is a true expression of our Russian River Valley terroir. The full-bodied palate has delightfully bright flavors of crisp apple, ripe peach, lemon meringue and honey, while the long finish has hints of caramel and ginger. WINE DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................ For our Russian River Valley Chardonnay, the grapes were gently whole‐cluster pressed, with press cuts taken by taste to maximize the flavor of each particular block or clone. The grapes were then cold settled, racked off heavy lees and barrel fermented at cool temperatures with CY3079 yeast. This Chardonnay underwent malolactic fermentation and sur lie aging with biweekly stirring to give it a rich, creamy mouthfeel. The wine was aged for 15 months in 100% French oak barrels, 94% of which were new. The balance was aged in one- to two-year old barrels. California Table Wine, ©2011 Ernest & Julio Gallo, Healdsburg, CA. All rights reserved.. .