Tasting Notes
The inaugural release of Waters Ranch Vineyard Chardonnay exhibits lifted aromatics of white peach skin, nectarine, candied Meyer lemon peel, crushed chalk and vanilla bean. On the palate, luxurious texture and exuberant acidity – characteristic of this mountaintop vineyard – culminate in a long and evolving finish.
The Waters Ranch Vineyard Chardonnay honors the first chapter of the Pahlmeyer legacy. Waters Ranch was planted by Cleo Pahlmeyer's father, Jayson Pahlmeyer, in 2000 for his eponymous wines. Today, the vineyard is under the stewardship of Cleo and her husband, Jamie Watson, and this Chardonnay is their continuation of Jayson’s bold legacy.
Designed by renowned vineyard developer David Abreu, Waters Ranch Vineyard is perched on the eastern mountain range of Napa Valley in the Atlas Peak AVA. On a mountaintop at 2,200 feet with shallow, rocky volcanic soil and sightlines to San Francisco drawing cool winds from the bay, Waters Ranch is a cool spot in the otherwise warm region, creating intense Chardonnay fruit rich in texture and vibrancy.
Winemaking Notes
Our two blocks were picked by hand in the cool pre-dawn hours, and the fruit was delivered to the winery before sunrise. We hand-sorted the clusters before transferring them into a bladder press. After gentle pressing, the juice settled for 24 hours before we carefully racked it into 228L French oak barrels, 57% new. Native yeast slowly guided alcoholic fermentation in barrel, with measured batonnage until malolactic fermentation was complete. The wine aged sur lie for 15 months and was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Vintage Notes
The 2023 vintage in Napa Valley was very similar to the Sonoma Coast, with a late start due to cool spring weather and steady moderate temperatures throughout the season. Being further inland, Waters Ranch Vineyard experienced warmer weather in July and August than the coast, but the extreme elevation worked to maintain brilliant acidity with cooler temperatures while providing intense sunlight for flavor development and structure.
- Winemaker:
- Todd Kohn
- Origin:
- Waters Ranch Vineyard, Atlas Peak, Napa Valley
- Pruning:
- Cordon
- Harvested:
- September 21st, 2023
- Bottled:
- December 18, 2024
- Release:
- Summer 2025
- Alcohol:
- 14.3%
- pH:
- 3.37
- TA:
- 6.1 g/L
- Cases Produced:
- 170
