Journeyman Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2021

The Russian River Valley in Sonoma County, California, is renowned for its cool climate, influenced by coastal fog and the Pacific Ocean. This creates an ideal environment for growing Chardonnay, known for its vibrant acidity and complex flavour profile. The region is recognised for its exceptional terroir, providing grapes with high acidity and minerality, perfect for producing premium Chardonnay.

The 2021 Journeyman Chardonnay is a blend of fruit from two prestigious vineyards: Zio Tony and Ritchie Vineyards. These sites contribute a Chardonnay that is structured, elegant, and complex, with a balance of rich fruit, crisp acidity, and subtle oak influence. The blend includes heritage selections such as Old Wente clone, known for their concentration and opulence, with the goal of producing a wine that embodies both the minerality of Burgundy and the richness of California Chardonnay​.

The grapes are harvested at night to preserve freshness, hand-picked, and whole-bunch pressed. The wine undergoes fermentation with indigenous yeasts in a combination of barrel and concrete egg, a process that enhances both creaminess and minerality. The wine is aged for 11 months in French oak (20% new) and undergoes malolactic fermentation, contributing to its complexity and depth. The use of concrete eggs ensures a gentle vortex, adding richness and maintaining the natural integrity of the wine​.

The 2021 vintage of Journeyman Chardonnay offers an expressive bouquet of apple blossom, stone fruit, and fresh rain on limestone. On the palate, the wine reveals layers of baked apple, pear, and Chablis-like minerality, with subtle oak nuances. The finish is long and balanced, showcasing the creamy texture from lees contact and the wine's elegant, linear structure​.

This wine pairs beautifully with dishes such as grilled seafood, roast chicken, and creamy pasta. It also complements grilled vegetables and mild cheeses. Serve chilled at 10-12°C.