We don't really expect everyone to cellar such an irresistible wine, but for those who can, feel confident it will develop and expand over the years.
Prime drinking: Late 2022 through 2028
Graceful ageability: 2030
Winemaking
Now that Stiling Vineyard Chardonnay (the source for this bottling) is completely dry farmed by the Dehlinger family, we continue to see an amping up of concentration and flavor from the raw material provided for Luke’s, already their most popular Chardonnay. Always a standout, the 2020 Luke’s shows even a bit more of its typically buoyant, creamy and luscious character.
Vintage
In 2020 the Sonoma Coast the grape vines woke up early and demanded their normal attention anyway. Work in the vineyards proceeded with smaller crews that practiced social distancing and wore facial coverings. Summer wild fires threatened many vineyards and hard decisions were made not to pick several vineyard blocks. The focus was on producing the highest quality wine.
Analysis
Appellation: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Vineyard: 100% Stiling
Clones: 100% Rued
Aging: 14 months, 30% New French Oak
pH: 3.36 TA: 6.2 g/L
Bottling: May 25, 2022
Release: Fall 2022
Alcohol: 14.4%
90 Points
Richly viscous and voluptuous with dried cherry and plum fruitiness that intermingle along side baking spice, oak, hints of lavender, black pepper, and star anise. Concentrated and complex, the palate is a balanced interplay of vibrant acidity and silky tannins that contribute heft and length that coat the palate with luscious ripeness that keeps on giving.
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
