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July 02, 2008
DIFFERENT GRAPES, DIFFERENT STYLES: 2007 LAKE SONOMA WINERY CHARDONNAY AND PINOT GRIS
The 2007 Lake Sonoma Winery Chardonnay and 2007 Lake Sonoma Pinot Gris are both white wines from vineyards located in the cool Russian River
Valley, but that’s where the similarity ends. These two wines – though equally fine – are at opposite ends of the white wine spectrum - separated both by intrinsic character and winemaking.
Someone once observed that Chardonnay is white wine for red wine lovers and in a sense, whoever said it is right. Chardonnay’s powerful, complex character and rich texture are unusual for a white wine grape. That power and richness gives Lake Sonoma’s winemaker the freedom to ferment Chardonnay in small oak barrels, leave it on the yeast lees for months and allow it to undergo malolactic fermentation. All the aroma and flavor elements these techniques impart complement the concentrated fruit and structure of the finished wine. Pinot Gris – though by no means weak or ethereal – displays a fresh, light, subtle character. It is a character that oak, yeast lees and malolactic fermentation would quickly overwhelm. At Lake Sonoma, the key with Pinot Gris is to use free-run juice exclusively,
The 2007 Lake Sonoma Chardonnay displays rich aromas of pear, butterscotch, vanilla and butter. Ripe red apple, butterscotch and spice dominate the mouthfilling flavors. 
Creamy on the palate, this flavorful Chardonnay shows a measure of elegance in the crisp, lingering finish. The 2007 Lake Sonoma Winery Russian River Valley Chardonnay is available nationally at a suggested retail of $17. A total of 6,000 cases were produced.
Forward aromas of fresh honeysuckle, lime and kiwi fruit show in the 2007 Lake Sonoma Pinot Gris’ easy-drinking style. The flavors are similarly fresh and forward; a seamless mélange of citrus, kiwi fruit and honeydew melon. Because only 840 cases of the 2007 Lake Sonoma Winery Russian River Valley Pinot Gris were produced, availability is limited to select markets nationally and the winery tasting room in Healdsburg. It has a suggested retail of $17.
Established in 1977, Lake Sonoma Winery follows a “best of the best” philosophy in producing wines that express classic Sonoma County character. Sonoma County visitors are invited to sample these wines at its award-winning tasting room in downtown Healdsburg.
2007 Lake Sonoma Chardonnay, Russian River, 100% Chardonnay, abv - 13.5%, srp - $17
2007 Lake Sonoma Pinot Gris, Russian River, 99% Pinot Gris, 1% Pinot Blanc, abv - 13.5%, srp - $17
Drink responsibly.
DRY CREEK VALLEY, CA, July 2, 2008
Posted by fortna at July 2, 2008 06:17 AM
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Comments
This is by far my favorite Pinot Gris!
Mary
Posted by: EDITOR at July 24, 2008 05:40 AM