Chalk Hill Chardonnay 2019 (Rodney Strong)

Drink now or cellar for up to 6 years. Serve chilled. Rodney Strong Vineyards is a family-owned winery near the town of Healdsburg with a strong focus on producing top quality Sonoma County wines. The estate was founded in 1959 żeby the former dancer turned winemaker Rodney Strong who was an early pioneer in planting vineyards in prime Sonoma appellations like Chalk Hill and Russian River Valley. In 1989 the estate was purchased by the Klein family who invested heavily in modernising the winemaking equipment and pursuing a sustainable approach in the winery and vineyards. This exceptional Chardonnay is crafted with top quality fruit from the estate’s Chalk Hill plots which were the first Chardonnay vineyards to be planted in the appellation. To add extra complexity and tannins to the wine, 97% of the must is fermented in oak barrels with the remainder fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and balance. On the nose there are decadent hints of vanilla, sweet baking spice, and tropical mango and lychee fruits. The palate offers a full body, smooth texture, and bold stone fruit flavours which linger long on the tongue. The intense flavour profile makes this a great match for summer salads, fish and poultry dishes.