Russian River Valley Chardonnay “Director’s Cut” (2021) - Francis Ford Coppola Winery

€€€€€

The name "Director's Cut" is inspired by the version of a film that most closely reflects the director's vision. In the same way, this line of wines represents the winemaker's interpretation of the typical character of Sonoma wines.

Russian River Valley Chardonnay “Director’s Cut” (2021) - Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Russian River Valley Chardonnay “Director’s Cut” (2021) - Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Type: Vino Bianco

Area: United States, California, Russian River Valley

Appellation: Russian River Valley AVA

Grape variety: Chardonnay

Vintage: 2021

Winery: Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Alcohol: 14,5

The appellation: Russian River Valley AVA

Russian River Valley AVA is one of the most prestigious appellations in California, located in Sonoma County, in the North Coast wine region. Famous for its cool climate, influenced by the proximity of the Pacific Ocean and by the morning fogs that travel up the course of the Russian River, this AVA is particularly renowned for producing top-quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.Thanks to a unique microclimate and a great variety of soils, the wines of the Russian River Valley stand out for their elegance, aromatic complexity and freshness, making this appellation a benchmark for lovers of Californian wines.

Find out more about Russian River Valley AVA

What to eat with Russian River Valley Chardonnay “Director’s Cut”

Who makes it: Francis Ford Coppola Winery

The Francis Ford Coppola Winery, founded by the legendary director Francis Ford Coppola, is much more than simply a winery: it is a place of culture, hospitality and passion for wine. Set in the splendid Sonoma County, in California, this winery is a perfect combination of winemaking tradition and the magic of cinema. As well as producing wines of the very highest quality, the winery offers a unique experience, with tastings, restaurants, swimming pools and even a collection of film memorabilia.

Find out more about Francis Ford Coppola Winery

The vine of Russian River Valley Chardonnay “Director’s Cut”

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is one of the most widely planted and prestigious white grape varieties in the world, originally from Burgundy, in France. Thanks to its great adaptability to different climates and soils, Chardonnay is grown in many wine regions, expressing unique characteristics according to the terroir and the winemaking style.

Find out more

Russian River Valley Chardonnay “Director’s Cut”: the area

no-background

Russian River Valley

The Russian River Valley, in Sonoma County, California, is one of the most prestigious wine regions in the United States, renowned for producing elegant, complex wines, particularly from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This appellation, part of the wider Sonoma County AVA (American Viticultural Area), benefits from a unique climate, marked by cool morning fogs that rise from the Russian River and create ideal conditions for growing vines.

Find out more about Russian River Valley

Climate: Oceanic

Altitude: Low Altitude (0-200 m above sea level)

Soil: Alluvial / Morainic

Geographical setting: River

Profile of Russian River Valley Chardonnay “Director’s Cut”

Primary aromas: Pineapple, yellow apple, citrus

Secondary aromas: Butter, vanilla, sweet spices

Tertiary aromas: Toasty notes, almond

Tasting notes: This Chardonnay shows aromas of pineapple, yellow apple and citrus, enriched by hints of butter and vanilla. On the palate, it offers flavours of pineapple, vanilla and butter, with a creamy texture and a long finish.

Sulphitesyes
BodyCreamy
AcidityMedia
TanninNo
SweetnessDry
FinishLong
ColourBright golden yellow
ClarityClear
BodyMedium-full

Winemaking methods used for Russian River Valley Chardonnay “Director’s Cut”

Hand harvesting

Hand harvesting is a traditional, painstaking approach to picking, where bunches are selected and cut by hand straight from the vine. Compared with machine harvesting it allows far closer attention to quality, since only the best bunches are chosen and the fruit is not damaged.

Find out more

Malolactic fermentation

Malolactic fermentation is a fundamental process in winemaking, particularly used for quality white, red and sparkling wines. This method plays a key role in determining the flavour and aromatic profile of many wines, helping to make them softer, more complex and suited to long ageing.

Find out more

Temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel

Temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel is a technique that makes it possible to produce fresh, fruity, clean wines, preserving the varietal aromas of the grapes at their best.

Find out more

Ageing methods used for Russian River Valley Chardonnay “Director’s Cut”

In cask (7–18 months)

Ageing in cask for between 7 and 18 months is a classic but measured approach to maturing wine. Large casks, usually Slavonian oak or untoasted French oak, allow natural micro-oxygenation, which helps the wine settle, knit together and develop a more complex, harmonious profile. This kind of ageing is widely used for terroir-driven reds and for some structured whites that are after depth without the aromatic intensity a barrique would give.

Find out more