95 Points - James Suckling, October 2020
VINEYARDS
Located in the heart of Green Valley, this vineyard possesses the rare combination of excellent soil, old vines and ideal cool climate. Planted to Goldridge fine sandy loam, it is southwest facing and sees long periods of morning fog and cool coastal wind in the evening.
VINTAGE
Starting with rain during bloom, 2019 transitioned into a steady, slow to warm spring. Temperate throughout the summer, offering only a couple intermittent heat spikes. Average yields and incredible quality with harvest beginning in early August.
WINEMAKING
Gently whole cluster pressed, cold-settled for two days, then racked to concrete eggs where it is inoculated with yeast and sur lie aged until malolactic fermentation complete. The wine is then racked into concrete eggs for 10 months aging.
Vintage: 2019
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Vineyard: Mill Station Vineyard of Dutton Ranch
Appellation: Russian River Valley
Aging: Concrete eggs for 10 months
Brix: 23.9?
pH: 3.45
TA: 0.59 g/100ml
Alcohol %: 13.9%
93 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Polished and elegantly layered Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah offers red plum and black cherry, with hints of cigar box, forest floor, bay, baking spices, light pepper and vanilla on the nose. Expressive black raspberry, sassafras and smoky pepper flavors that linger with salted dark chocolate, red plum, cherry with notes of pepper on the palate.
94 Points, Wine Enthusiast
This big juicy wine opens up with aromas of dark berry, black plum, dried violet and maple that leap from a glass, layered with dried herbs, tar, and smoke that follow. Blackberry and blueberry compote rule the palate, while leather, grilled herbs, dark chocolate and scorched earth lead to a long, satisfying finish. Delicious!
93 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Dark fruit aromas of black raspberry, blackberry and black cherry steer the aromatics backed by baking spices, anise and lavender. A touch of Syrah to add tannin and depth. On the palate, black cherry and blackberry preserve shine through rounded out by herbs de Provence, dark chocolate and vanilla. A gorgeous expressive wine!
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