2016 was a year characterized by low crop yields and even ripening. Our 2016 Flanagan Chardonnay Bacigalupi Vineyard spent 11 months in French cooperage with 40% of that new. The nose has ripe Meyer lemon and a hint of red apple. The palate is very delineated and balanced. The ripe
citrus maintains the tension and the sur lie barrel aging creates a beautiful texture. Like well-made Chardonnay from great vineyards around the world this wine benefits from getting some air, will age for years, and is best when served around 50 degrees.
Vineyard Notes
Just south of our winery on West Dry Creek Road the Bacigalupi family owns approximately 120 acres of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Vineyards on Westside Road. The vineyard in located within the upper reach of Russian River Valley which is afforded a bit warmer day-time temperatures and not quite as much fog influence as the rest of the Russian River Valley AVA. With the combination of the vineyard being further in proximity to the coast, the age of the grapevines, and our barrel regime choices this wine tends to lean a bit more on the lush side for our Chardonnay program.
We sourced fruit for the 2016 Flanagan Chardonnay Bacigalupi Vineyard from one of their top blocks. Bacigalupi was the source of the Chateau Montelena Chardonnay that, famously, beat the French wines at the “Judgement of Paris” tasting in 1976.