Jonive
Estate Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
Jonive’s Moon Dust Vineyard is nested within the Sebastopol Hills in the coolest area of the Russian River Valley, home to rare and desirable Goldridge soils. The vineyard consists of four pristine acres organically grown Chardonnay. The resulting wine is complex and a great expression of this terroir.
Vintage Factsheets
Jonive’s Moon Dust Vineyard is planted to a range of clones, imparting unique characteristics and quality to the wines. 100% estate-owned vineyard planted in 1998 and 2007. Goldridge (Moon Dust) soil over clay loam. Eastern/Southern Exposure.
- Region
- California: Russian River Valley
- Appellation
- Sonoma County
- Sub-Appellation
- Russian River Valley
- Aging
- 14-months in 67% new French oak barrels, 20% once used and 13% neutral.
- Alcohol
- 13.8%
The wine has a typical light straw color and complex aromas of lemongrass, nutmeg, Meyer lemon, fresh oregano, and a touch of passionfruit. This Chardonnay has an enveloping mouthfeel that is at once crisp and linear as well as rich and expansive, a very unusual and beguiling combination of textures and mouthfeel. The browning of clone 17 enables the wine to be rich, but at a lower alcohol, and clone 95 contributes beautifully fresh acidity. The palate shows jasmine, honeydew melon, tarragon, lime, and lemongrass with a nice kiss of high-quality French oak. The extended lees contact gives the wine amazing length, energy, and vitality.
Jancis Robinson
16 Points
2022
“Medium lemon in colour. Vanilla, cedar and baked apple. Rich and full on the palate with balanced acidity. The oak lasts but the fruit peters out rather quickly.”
— Samantha Cole-Johnson, 2024
