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Redman Wines purchased 2.54 tons of Chardonnay grapes from the Crawford Beck Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. The varietal is Dijon clone 96 grafted onto 3309 rootstock. Block B is 0.95 acres planted in rows 7 feet apart and the vines are 5 feet apart, yielding 1200 vines in the block. The elevation is 450 feet above sea level and sits on a hill that looks toward the west and the Van Duzer Pass, through which the cooling Pacific breezes flow each afternoon and evening. The soil on this hill is Saum, a clay/loam mixture derived from basalt, the volcanic rock left by lava flows through the Willamette region 15 million years ago.
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The weather in 2008 was cool, with a late spring; the summer was cooler overall in spite of some heat spikes. The spring, summer and fall were drier than usual, continuing the drying trend for this region over the past several vintages. This weather pattern led into a cool, dry harvest season, allowing the winemaker to let the fruit hang well into October to assure full flavor development and allow the acidity to decrease.
Vine events:
Budbreak
May 4, 2008
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Bloom began
June 29, 2008 |
Veraison began
August 31, 2008 |
Harvest
October 26, 2009 |
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The Chardonnay grapes were escorted to Raptor Ridge Winery in Carlton, OR. by Bill and Cathy Redman and Dave and Jeanne Beck. Friends and neighbors helped to unload and weigh the grapes, as they went immediately into PRESS, stems and all. Bill watched his last press as he rallied for his friends and appreciated their support. Pressed juice went into two stainless steel barrels, 1 new French oak barrel and two neutral barrels. The Chardonnay barrels were trucked to the Redman cellar on October 27. The Chardonnay was aged for 14 months, we bottled the 2008 Redman Chardonnay, Eola-Amity Hills AVA on January 9, 2010.
The 2008 Chardonnay shows a crisp, well balanced acid backbone with a charming nutty finish. It is a pretty wine, graceful, feminine, with just the lightest touch of oak for sipping. It is also beautiful accompaniment for food, for example with scallops or tilapia in a citrus-caper-butter sauté. Serve this beautiful Chardonnay slightly chilled. Enjoy!
2008 Chardonnay Eola-Amity Hill AVA 135 cases 13.alc $25.
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