2024 My Sister Charlie Chardonnay
2024 MY SISTER CHARLIE CHARDONNAY
Sitting on the Russian River Valley side of Bell Mountain, our Chardonnay vines are a mix of Old Wente and See’s clones that give us tremendous flexibility in the cellar. We select the best barrels to go into our signature Chardonnay. Starting with the 2020 vintage, we’ve renamed the wine to incorporate the next generation into our story. When Chris and Bradley’s middle son would play at Bell Mountain, he wished he had a sister to be his ally in a house full of boys. Since none existed, he made one up and referred to his imaginary playmate as “My Sister Charlie”. Playing among the vines allowed him to showcase his ingenuity and spirit of adventure, the values on which Medlock Ames is founded.
The 2024 My Sister Charlie Chardonnay has an expressive, floral nose that opens with jasmine, honeysuckle, and white blossom. The palate is layered with ripe pear, lychee, and peach with subtle notes of orange peel and tea leaf adding complexity. Rounded out with hints of vanilla and marzipan that provide a soft, rounded edge. The palate is rich and generous, with a smooth texture and a lingering finish
Vintage
The 2024 season started with ample rainfall and was marked by a cool spring that allowed vines to progress at a nice pace, with steady and healthy canopy growth. By August, the region enjoyed long, warm days and cool nights, creating optimal conditions for ripening while helping to retain acidity in the grapes, contributing to bright, balanced flavors. As harvest neared its end, later ripening blocks faced intense heat for several weeks, which accelerated ripening and quickly wrapped up the season. While the heat increased ripeness in these later blocks, it didn’t compromise the overall quality. This year’s harvest returned to a more typical schedule compared to 2023, resulting in an exceptional vintage with excellent depth and flavor. Despite the late-season heat, the season’s unique conditions set the stage for wines with great character and long-term potential.