Name: Alejandro Bulgheroni Chardonnay Lithology Ritchie Vineyard 2022 750ml
Brand: Alejandro Bulgheroni
SKU: 1016228
Price: 122.4 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 94.3 (4 reviews)

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Winery

Alejandro Bulgheroni

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Varietal

Chardonnay

Of all the white wine grape varietals, surely the one that has spread the furthest and is most widely appreciated is Chardonnay. This green-skinned grape is now grown all over the Old and New Worlds, from New Zealand to the Americas, from England to Chile, and is one of the first varietals people think of when considering white wine grapes. Perhaps this is because of its huge popularity, which reached a peak in the 1990s, thanks to new technologies combining with traditional methods to bring the very best features out of the Chardonnay grape and allow its unique qualities to shine through. Most fine Chardonnay wines use a process known as malolactic fermentation, wherein the malic acids in the grape juice are converted to lactic acids, allowing a creamier, buttery nature to come forward in the wine. No grape varietal is better suited to this process than Chardonnay, which manages to balance these silky, creamy notes with fresh white fruit flavors beautifully.

Country

United States

Of all the New World wine countries, perhaps the one which has demonstrated the most flair for producing high quality wines - using a combination of traditional and forward-thinking contemporary methods - has been the United States of America. For the past couple of centuries, the United States has set about transforming much of its suitable land into vast vineyards, capable of supporting a wide variety of world-class grape varietals which thrive on both the Atlantic and the Pacific coastlines. Of course, we immediately think of sun-drenched California in regards to American wines, with its enormous vineyards responsible for the New World's finest examples of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot based wines, but many other states have taken to viticulture in a big way, with impressive results. Oregon, Washington State and New York have all developed sophisticated and technologically advanced wine cultures of their own, and the output of U.S wineries is increasing each year as more and more people are converted to their produce.

Region

California

California as a wine producing region has grown in size and importance considerably over the past couple of centuries, and today is the proud producer of more than ninety percent of the United States' wines. Indeed, if California was a country, it would be the fourth largest producer of wine in the world, with a vast range of vineyards covering almost half a million acres. The secret to California's success as a wine region has a lot to do with the high quality of its soils, and the fact that it has an extensive Pacific coastline which perfectly tempers the blazing sunshine it experiences all year round. The winds coming off the ocean cool the vines, and the natural valleys and mountainsides which make up most of the state's wine regions make for ideal areas in which to cultivate a variety of high quality grapes.

Appellation

Sonoma Coast

Sonoma Coast, a prized wine appellation in California, stands out for its breathtaking landscapes and cool-climate viticulture. What makes Sonoma Coast unique is its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, bringing maritime influences that create ideal conditions for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. The region's diverse topography, including rolling hills and coastal ridges, allows for a range of microclimates, contributing to the complexity and character of its wines. Sonoma Coast wines, particularly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, are celebrated for their elegance, vibrant acidity, and expressive fruit flavors. Notable sub-appellations like Russian River Valley and Fort Ross-Seaview exemplify the diversity within the larger Sonoma Coast region. Winemakers embrace sustainable practices, further enhancing the appellation's appeal. Exploring Sonoma Coast offers wine enthusiasts a captivating journey into the synergy between land and vine, where the Pacific's influence shapes wines of remarkable finesse and distinct terroir expression.

DC 96pts

Decanter

This Chardonnay is sourced from Ritchie Vineyard, specifically the old vine blocks in G and A blocks. Matt Sands describes it as a medium-warm site within the Russian River Valley, but the pomace-like soil stresses the vines, contributing to beautifully focused acidity. Harvest timing is critical due to variations in the vines and the clusters they produce, a hallmark of the site’s unique complexity. The grapes were whole-cluster pressed with no sulphur added for a day or two, carefully monitoring the pH. Sands performed a few press cuts and stirred the leaves during primary fermentation but not again until racking. The wine was aged for 20 months: 33% in new French oak barrels (Damy) and 67% in neutral French oak barrels. In 2022, Sands crafted a gorgeously elegant Chardonnay, offering a deeply penetrating expression of fruit and salinity on the mid-palate, with tremendous richness framed by expressive acidity. The wine exudes a suave fruit-weight texture with an outstanding mineral and acid tension balance. Aromas of spring flowers intertwine with lifted Meyer lemon, creamy orchard fruit, apricot, and a hint of guava. The finish is exceptionally long, balanced, and refreshing.

WA 95pts

Wine Advocate

From a legendary Sonoma grower, the 2022 Lithology Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard was whole-cluster pressed direct to barrel, underwent uninoculated primary fermentation and partial malolactic fermentation. Scents of ripe melon, pineapple, toasted grain and white peach appear on the mellow, harmonious nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is round and generous, then eases into a long, citrusy, refreshing finish.

JD 94pts

Jeb Dunnuck

Coming from some of the top blocks in this terrific site, the 2022 Chardonnay Lithology Ritchie Vineyard was barrel fermented and aged in roughly 33% new French oak. Ripe lemon curd, honeyed white flowers, and creamy nuances all define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied, has a pure, layered, elegant mouthfeel, lots of bright acidity, and a great finish.

VM 92pts

Vinous Media

The 2022 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard is elegant and finessed from start to finish. Creamy, supple contours wrap around a core of apricot, lemon confit, white flowers, tangerine peel and a light kiss of French oak. This fruit was picked on August 20.

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Alejandro Bulgheroni Chardonnay Lithology Ritchie Vineyard 2022 750ml