The second vintage of our new collection of Russian River Valley “Vineyard Select” Chardonnays — the Ferrari-Carano 2006 Dominique Chardonnay (“Dominique” is Rhonda Carano’s middle name) is terroir-driven with intense ripe aromas and flavors of pear, fig and apple interspersed with a hint of maple syrup and nutmeg. Bright acidity with layers of intense flavors characterize this beautiful wine.
Vintage Notes
The fruit for this wine comes from a single vineyard alongside a creek in one of the coolest regions of the Russian River Valley, an area known for producing some of the world’s best Chardonnays. A mild late spring and summer ensured that the mature vines had a healthy canopy for the grapes, which provided the perfect combination of sunlight and heat penetrating the grape clusters. These conditions allowed the grapes to reach full maturity in both flavor and structure. Harvest was completed mid-October.
Winemakers Notes
A single vineyard site with three Chardonnay clones comprise our 2006 Dominique Chardonnay. Each lot for this wine was hand harvested, whole cluster pressed, then cold settled for two days in stainless steel tanks, and within 24 hours moved directly to barrels, utilizing various French oak cooperages. Aged separately by lot, the wine undergoes 50 percent malolactic fermentation and is sur lie aged and stirred every week for 15 months until bottling.
Appellation: Russian River Valley
Blend: 100% Whole Cluster Pressed Chardonnay
Cooperage: 40% new Burgundian French oak,
60% older French oak
Release Day: May 2008
Rhonda's Recipe and Pairing Notes
Spicy Lime Ginger Grilled Shrimp
The Dominique Chardonnay’s ripe fruit component complements a variety of vegetable, seafood and poultry entrees, as well as light pasta and rice dishes.
Other products in the category Library Wines:
Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery Products
|
|
|
|
|
|