2005 Chardonnay
Ricci Vineyard, Los Carneros
Alcohol 14.5%  |  Total Acidity .69  |  pH 3.31
779 Cases Produced

Wine Notes [PDF]

Tasting Notes | This is Carneros Chardonnay at its best—delicious intensity, complexity and length inspire harmony in the glass. Supple and full-bodied, yet crisp and long on the palate, this wine offers flavors of banana, roasted nut, toasted oak, peach, lemon and pineapple. Enjoy with scallops in a white wine or curry sauce; crab quiche; soy and ginger grilled tuna or fried clams.

Vineyard | In southern Carneros, not far from San Pablo Bay, the Ricci family tends their vineyard with a combination of expertise and intuition that comes only with experience. The family has a long history of farming in the region, which was once defined by pastureland and orchards. Today, Carneros is one of the world’s premier Chardonnay appellations. The Ricci Vineyard is distinguished by both its proximity to the Pacific Ocean and the Bay—the cooling influence of which encourages a long maturation for the grapes, resulting in fully ripe, intensely flavorful fruit.

Vintage | What began as a heartbreakingly difficult growing season with a cold, wet spring and periodic rains throughout the summer, would become one of Sonoma’s most surprising standout vintages. As harvest approached, we knew that a single rainy day could cost us the vintage. But instead of rain, we got a miracle: 30-plus days of perfect Indian summer. What’s more, the grapes continued to gain weight late in the year, which slowed and lengthened the ripening process. This bit of serendipity combined with great weather brought our grapes to optimal ripeness. We picked the last grapes on November 11—the latest ever for us in Sonoma. A truly exceptional harvest, 2005 saw both exquisite quality and superb yields.

Winemaking | We pick the grapes in the cool early morning hours to preserve the quality and character of the fruit. To promote clarity and refreshing crispness in the wine, we whole cluster press the grapes and allow the free run juice to settle and cold-ferment in stainless steel. The wine was then stored until bottling in March of 2007.

Benziger Farming Practices | At Benziger Family Winery, we are dedicated to winemaking that reveals the true character of the vineyard, the varietal and the vintage in certified-sustainable, -organically grown and  -Biodynamic® wines defined by individuality and the passion of the people who make them. Through our commitment to natural farming and environmentally and socially responsible business practices, we strive for sustainability and the preservation of our Sonoma Mountain family winery for generations to come.

This wine was made with grapes grown by sustainable farming methods. (With the 2007 vintage, this wine will be certified sustainable.) Our sustainable philosophy promotes natural vineyard management, restoration of the land and biodiversity on the estate. We believe these practices result in wines that reflect the authentic flavors, aromas and character of the vineyard.