Lambert Bridge Winery

Sonoma County

100% Chardonnay

Our 2007 Chardonnay was whole cluster pressed and barrel fermented in the coolest part of the winery to ensure that the fruit aromatics were kept bright and balanced. For the second year, we have used DARGAUD et JAEGLE barrels in our Chardonnay program. DJ is one of the few coopers in France producing water-bent barrels. These barrels are heated by soaking in hot water before shaping instead of heating over a fire. The result is that any green or resinous flavors and tannins are leached from the wood which means that they are not in the wine! What you will see in this Chardonnay is the DJ barrels contribute a vanilla characteristic while keeping an opulent, impeccably balanced wine where the oak respects the fruit. The welcoming aromas of light tropical fruit with a touch of star anise continue with melon, pear, and apple on the palate. The fruit, oak, and malolactic flavors are tightly woven together—all leading to a caressing, supple, and lingering finish.

While fresh with pleasing complexity, this Chardonnay will grow gracefully in your cellar—that is if you can resist drinking it. We recommend serving the 2007 vintage with pan seared scallops, grilled swordfish or Meyer lemon roasted chicken.

Several Suggested Recipes

• Artichoke Tapanade Dip
• Butternut Squash & Apple Soup
• French Onion Soup
• Zucchini Soup with Parmesan Croutons
• Steamed Mussels with Grilled Bread
• Zucchini Soup with Parmesan Croutons
• Meyer Lemon and Rosemary Roasted Chicken
• Heirloom Tomato Soup

Sonoma County

100% Chardonnay 

Richly flavored in style yet deftly balanced, our Chardonnay is renowned as a fine example of a Burgundian-style white. The 2008 Sonoma County Chardonnay is sourced from our home vineyard located just south of the winery. At this site, the cooling influence of fog is prevalent, and this gives the fruit bright acids while contributing to a precise balance of rich, ripe Chardonnay flavors. Our farming techniques follow rigorous and exacting standards set by our winemaking team to insure quality, intensity of flavor and balance. A trio of Chardonnay clones combines to provide character and complexity: Dijon 76, Robert Young and Old Wente. It is this combination of site, clonal variety and high-standards which give us exceptional chardonnay fruit with which to create this outstanding wine. After the fruit is carefully and meticulously hand harvested, it is gently pressed as whole clusters, a technique which accentuates rich flavor while maintaining acidity. Fermentation occurs in French Oak barrels, made for us by French cooper Darguard et Jaegle—barrels that are coopered in a precise fashion so that they will deliver luscious texture and lush mouthfeel to the Chardonnay.

As you open the wine and pour, your nose is drawn to inviting aromas of winter pear and fresh apple which are balanced with hints of toasted oak. The palate is graced by clean fresh fruit flavors, lively acidity, vanilla, sweet oak and nutmeg. Palate weight and length interplay well with the hints of minerality—each are the signature of this wine.

We recommend serving this stunning wine with Dungeness crab cakes, butter poached lobster or wild mushroom risotto.

Several Suggested Recipes

• Artichoke Tapanade Dip
• Butternut Squash & Apple Soup
• French Onion Soup
• Zucchini Soup with Parmesan Croutons
• Steamed Mussels with Grilled Bread
• Zucchini Soup with Parmesan Croutons
• Meyer Lemon and Rosemary Roasted Chicken
• Heirloom Tomato Soup

Sonoma County

100% Chardonnay

Our 2009 Chardonnay is a stunning expression of vineyard site, clonal variety, and cooperage. 100% of the fruit comes from our own Chambers Vineyard located south of the winery, just outside the Chalk Hill appellation in the Riebli Valley. Morning fog helps to create a cooler microclimate at the vineyard site which in turn gives the fruit great natural acidity. To impart sweet oak flavors in the wine and gently cradle the fruit, our Chardonnay spends 10 months aging in rare water-bent barrels from French cooper Dargaud et Jaegle.

Each of the three clones selected for this wine leaves its own imprint on the 2009 vintage. The Robert Young clone lends a sweet baked apple pie note while Dijon 76 provides more bright fruit. This wine is lifted up by the utilization of the Old Wente clone giving it life and adding bright citrus fruit.

The nose is very expressive with sweet Meyer lemon and subtle oak. This full flavored Chardonnay has a layered lush texture and a strong lively finish.

Our 2009 Sonoma County Chardonnay will be a perfect complement to a Sunday dinner of roasted herb chicken.

Several Suggested Recipes

• Artichoke Tapanade Dip
• Butternut Squash & Apple Soup
• French Onion Soup
• Zucchini Soup with Parmesan Croutons
• Steamed Mussels with Grilled Bread
• Zucchini Soup with Parmesan Croutons
• Meyer Lemon and Rosemary Roasted Chicken
• Heirloom Tomato Soup

Sonoma County

100% Chardonnay

Bursting with a complex bouquet of fragrant heirloom apples, spice and a hint of nutmeg, our 2010 Chardonnay takes us back to the days when meals with family were the most important part of each day. This three-clone blend of Chardonnay is crisp as it touches the tongue and quickly broadens to a round plush mouth feel before dancing to a long lingering finish.

Rare water-bent barrels from French cooper Dargaud et Jaegle contribute hints of sweet toasty oak without overwhelming the delicate citrus notes and hints of orange blossom.
All of the elements of this wine exist in perfect harmony.

Our 2010 Sonoma County Chardonnay is perhaps our most food friendly white wine so there are plenty of pairing options depending on the season, but our favorite in the Spring would be fresh Dungeness crab cakes with a lemon aioli.

Several Suggested Recipes

• Artichoke Tapanade Dip
• Butternut Squash & Apple Soup
• French Onion Soup
• Zucchini Soup with Parmesan Croutons
• Steamed Mussels with Grilled Bread
• Zucchini Soup with Parmesan Croutons
• Meyer Lemon and Rosemary Roasted Chicken
• Heirloom Tomato Soup