Blend: 100% Chardonnay
Vintage production: 417 cases
L’Age D’Or comes from a vineyard just north of Sebastopol adjacent to the Laguna de Santa Rosa, the largest tributary of the Russian River. Originally planted in 1971, these are among the oldest Chardonnay vines in the Russian River Valley. The vineyard is immaculately and sustainably managed.
Having white Burgundies as benchmarks, especially the wines of Raveneau, Jobard and Coche-Dury, Don and Claude were never to anxious to even attempt to craft Chardonnay in the new world as they had always felt that the wines were sometimes over the top with buttery pop corn mouth feel, way too much oak, high alcohol and clunky.
Their success with Sauvignon Blanc, and especially with St. Andelain, convinced them to begin a three year commitment with a fabulous, well-established vineyard in the Russian River Valley. Their willingness to experiment with different vinification as well as aging for 16 months in 600L thick stave barrels (44% new) results in a Chardonnay of great elegance, length and verve; very Meursault-like.
