St. Francis Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2024 - 750ml

Tasting Notes

Expressive and bright, this Chardonnay presents aromas and flavors of crisp Fuji apple, citrus zest, almond skin and toasted marshmallow. The midpalate is rich and creamy with notes of crème brûlée before a finish with soft acidity and a hint of minerality.

About the Wine

The fruit for Appellation Collection Cabernet is grown at high elevations on sloped hillsides with good drainage. Climbing as high as 1400 feet along the sun-drenched, westernfacing slopes of the Mayacamas, the fruit sits well above the fog line. Naturally protected from wind, the area’s dry, hot days combine with cold nights resulting in small clusters, small berries and intensified flavors. The grapes were hand-sorted and underwent a two-day cold soak prior to fermentation to extract color and flavor. After primary fermentation, the wine was aged in French oak barrels, 45% new, where it underwent malolactic fermentation, followed by 20 months of aging before bottling.

We source premium Pinot Noir fruit from the Russian River Valley, a cooler region of Sonoma County. The vineyard sites here experience a marine influence from the Pacific Ocean as cool air, fog, and wind rolls in at night during the summer, dropping temperatures substantially. This natural air-conditioning is ideal for Pinot Noir, allowing the grapes to develop deep flavors while retaining brisk acidity.

Winery Notes

'St. Francis is a Certified Sustainable, family-owned Winery, and we have worked throughout our history to preserve Sonoma County’s natural resources. The state-of-the art Winery we built in 1999 includes a 457-kilowatt solar energy system, and we have been recognized for our work to conserve nearby creeks and waterways. Preserving Sonoma County for future generations is very much a part of who we are, what we do, and how we run our business.

Our Winery and stunning mission-style Tasting Room is in the heart of Sonoma Valley surrounded by estate vineyards. The bell tower houses a 1,000-pound bronze bell cast by the Marinelli Foundry in Italy. It chimes every hour and can be heard throughout the valley.'