The 2001 vintage marked the fifteenth year of producing the Riverstone Chardonnay, from vineyards in the town of Greenfield in Monterey County. Each year, starting in 1995, Lohr have incorporated higher percentages of traditional Burgundian production techniques into Riverstone, until the desired complexity was achieved (reaching 60% in 2000). This includes more malo-lactic fermentation and sur lie ageing with lees stirring, which in turn creates a wine of greater complexity and nuance.
The vines are grown primarily on Elder loam soils underlain by riverstones deposited over thousands of years from the Arroyo Seco River, allowing a four-foot rooting zone that keeps the vine's vegetative growth and fruit in balance. Additionally, the cool climate and winds of the Salinas Valley extend the growing season and retain the natural grape acids and intense varietal character of the Chardonnay.
The Riverstone Chardonnay is straw yellow in colour. The Arroyo Seco appellation terroir-based aromas of lime and grapefruit zest, nectarine, green apricots and wet stones are complemented by a smoky, butter, vanilla and toasted oak bouquet from the barrel fermentation and sur lie ageing. The flavours echo the aromas with citrus, stone fruits, butter, and smoky, toasty oak, producing layers of complexity with an excellent balance of acidity and palate weight.
