92 Points, James Suckling
Hard to resist now and will be rewarded with additional cellar aging.
VINEYARDS
From the coolest pockets spanning the Russian River Valley, each site experiences its own distinct microclimate. Low-laying fog in the morning with ample sun exposure in the afternoon, and cool evening breezes help develop complex fruit profiles while maintaining ample acidity.
WINEMAKING NOTES
Fermented and aged exclusively in concrete eggs. Gently whole cluster pressed, cold-settled for two days, with only native yeast fermentation. The wine was then racked into vessels and aged on the lees for 6 months.
VINTAGE
A winter abundant in rain and cool temperatures led to late budbreak and a temperate spring. Moderate temperatures throughout the summer, with few heat spikes allowed for even ripening with higher-than-average yields. This long growing season resulted in ideal phenolic ripeness, with the fruit retaining its natural acidity, while developing incredible concentration.
Vintage: 2023
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Appellation: Russian River Valley
Aging: 100% Concrete egg
Brix: 22.8
pH: 3.3
TA: 6.2 g/L
Release Date: June 2024
Alcohol: 13.5%
94 Points
Opens up with an aromatic burst of black cherry jam, wild huckleberry, and a hint of crushed espresso bean. On the palate, the fruit is lush and primary, but it's the secondary notes—toasted nutmeg, dark chocolate truffle, and the signature 'Dry Creek Dust'—that provide a long, savory finish.
95 Points
Aromas of wild berries, black fig and ripe dark fruits are intertwined with hints of fresh mountain herbs, mineral, leather, savory spices, and cigar box. On the palate, the rich fruit flavors of dark cherry, ripe plum, blackberry, red currants and cassis are layered with notes of wild sage, dark chocolate truffle, cinnamon, clove, and a kiss of oak.
96 Points
Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, huckleberry, floral violet and savory spice. The palate is full and layered, with robust, age-worthy tannins and gorgeous flavors of dark berries, mocha and chocolate-covered cherries mingling with hints of graphite, fig and fine leather. Smooth tannins, firm structure and silky texture coat the palate on route to a long, generous finish.
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