Sold Out
2018 Eric Kent Stiling Vineyard Chardonnay
2018 Eric Kent Stiling Vineyard Chardonnay

Eric Kent
2018 Chardonnay
, Stiling Vineyard
Russian River Valley

Aged to Perfection

Golden straw colored in the glass, wonderfully rich, it's loaded with roasted apple and stone fruit flavors wrapped in caramel, clove, nutmeg, and generous oak followed by a long and fresh lemon oil finish.  Full bodied, utterly luscious and satisfies the palate completely.  It would normally take many years in a wine cellar to achieve this level of development, yet there's plenty of freshness and structure for further evolution.  Reach for this one when you want something truly special.

Prime drinking:  Mid 2022 through 2027
Graceful ageability:  2028+

Winemaking
32 months in barrel (roughly double than most ultra premium Chardonnay) they bottled the utterly gorgeous, unabashedly old school results unfiltered.  All this extra time in barrel produced one of their most sumptuous Russian River Chardonnay to date.

Stiling Vineyard
Rued and Sees Blocks: These two Chardonnay blocks sit on a flat middle section of the vineyard, just east and parallel to Vine Hill Road.  Slightly eastern exposure moderates the temperature in this otherwise exposed section, leading to harvest dates toward the end of September or early October with brix usually around 22-24 at harvest.  Both blocks are similar in aspect and the main difference is clonal, with the Rued tending to be floral, tropical and overtly fruity while the Sees offers more restrained apple and spice character.

Vintage
The 2018 Sonoma County vintage offered moderate weather, cool evening temperatures and a long, even growing season. The weather conditions were ideal and allowed the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly over the course of summer and early fall. This allowed the grapes to gain flavor complexities and ripe tannins, while retaining natural acidity. The vineyards offered grapes of exceptional quality and high yields alike.

Analysis
Appellation:  Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Vineyard:  Stiling
Varietal:  100% Chardonnay
Clones:  96% Rued, 4% Hyde
Aging: 32 months, 60% New French Oak
pH:  3.42   TA: 6.2 g/L
Bottling:  June 7, 2021
Release date:  Spring 2022
Alcohol: 14.2%


More About Eric Kent

<< previous  |  next >>

Cosa Obra
2022 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast

Gold Medal
Generously packed with exotic cassis, black cherry, cola and plum flavors knitted together in a creamy, velvety texture with nice layering, finishing with delightful notes of spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.

 $45.00 
Today's Price
$36.00
2022 Cosa Obra Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

ENKIDU
2022 Pinot Noir, Peters Vineyard
Russian River Valley

96 Points
Ruby-plum core with a light purple rim in the glass, with aromas of dark cherry, plum, spicy cola and black tea waft from the glass.  The palate delivers all of that and then some, adding layers of fig jam, white peppercorn and baking spice.  Firm juicy tannins and balanced acidity round it out.

 $50.00 
Today's Price
$39.99
2022 Enkidu Peters Vineyard Pinot Noir

Ron Noble
2021 Pinot Noir, Petaluma Gap
Sonoma Coast

90 Points
Deep garnet in color, with enticing aromas of brandied cherry, lavender, and forest floor.   The palate is juicy and engaging with blueberries coursing through with depth and  keeps you running back for more.  Pure and balanced with perfect levels of acidity with notes of salted caramel, and cocoa.  It's ripe silky tannins lead to a long supple finish that just keeps on giving. 

 $68.00 
Today's Price
$49.00
2021 Ron Noble Estate Pinot Noir

Andrew Cotti
2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mt. Veeder
Napa Valley

95 Points
Engaging and floral with its red roses, violet, and hibiscus on the nose that tease you to take a sip. Then, BOOM!  Rich dark black fruit flavors of cassis, deep blackberry, mixed berry preserves, kirsch, baking spice and subtle notes of cocoa and oak that envelop your senses.

 $110.00 
Today's Price
$59.00
2022 Andrew Cotti Mt Veeder Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

La Sirena
2018 Red Blend, Studio Series
Napa Valley

94 Points
Deep garnet in color from the ripe 2018 vintage, with open aromas of lush fruit – plum, blackberry, and cherry, and notes of cedar, vanilla, and white pepper. Across the palate it's quite seamless and silky, rich and concentrated. The fruit flavors are bold and vibrant. Mouth-filling with smooth tannins, great texture and a long delicious finish.

 $125.00 
Today's Price
$87.50
2018 La Sirena Studio Series Red Blend Napa Valley

Saddleback
2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Oakville

92 Points
Lofty aromas of ripe red fruits layered with notes of crushed violets, berry cobbler, cherry and creme brulee leading into crushed blackberry with cassis, mocha, leather, mineral, and baking spice.  Its all encompassing and bold mouthfeel are outstanding, as deep tannins dance around the palate, finishing with flavors of blackberry, fig, and pipe tobacco.

 $82.00 
Today's Price
$65.60
2021 Saddleback Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Sojourn
2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, Home Ranch Cuvée
Sonoma Valley

93 Points
Dark fruit with blueberry fruit aromas and notes of mocha and cassis. The texture is silky, rich and mouth-filling with berry pie, black tea, exotic spice and notes of chocolate fudge on the palate. Fine grain tannins lengthen the finish with dark fruit flavors mingling with just a hint of mint.

 $65.00 
Today's Price
$58.50
2022 Sojourn Home Ranch Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon

Carol Shelton
2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Rockpile Reserve
Sonoma County

92 Points
Deep garnet core with aromas of crème de cassis, blackberry, dark chocolate and licorice mingle and swirl on the nose. The palate is equally gorgeous with extremely rich cookie, walnut, plum and cassis with a long smooth creamy vanilla finish. This one is aged to perfection and ready to show off.

 $50.00 
Today's Price
$45.00
2018 Carol Shelton Rockpile Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Maroon
2019 Merlot, Napa Valley
RESERVE

Rich & Luxurious!
Beautiful ruby color and opens with aromas of bright red plum and raspberry, cassis, and a touch of mint.  The tannins are soft yet structured, and complemented by vibrant acidity, with hints of clove and baking spice from the oak aging.  The wine ends with a long, smooth finish and lingering intensity encouraging you to enjoy another juicy sip.

 $66.00 
Today's Price
$39.60
2019 Maroon Reserve Napa Valley Merlot

La Sirena
2018 Syrah, Napa Valley
Barrett Vineyard, Calistoga

Chewy & Ripe!
Dark purplish-black with aromas of ripe black plums, bacon, blackberry jam, and black tea.  Dense, chewy and ripe across the palate with a nice mid-palate texture and weight.  Rich, structured, and complex, with a long evolving finish.

 $75.00 
Today's Price
$52.50
2018 La Sirena Barrett Vineyard Syrah Napa Valley

Saddleback
2023 Chardonnay, RESERVE
Sangiacomo Vineyard

Exceptional
Aromas of bright oak, essence of lilac, toasted brioche and sage delight your senses.  Flavors are just as complex with hints of soft melted butter, quince, fig, and a touch of lavender that titillate your taste buds.  Its delightful texture is balanced by great acidity, leading to a long satisfying finish.  Truly a chardonnay lovers top pick.

 $60.00 
Today's Price
$48.00
2023 Saddleback Cellars Reserve Chardonnay Sangiacomo Vineyard

WineHeist.com
Inside Steals, One Every Week