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Manage Subscriptions2009 Clos Pepe Estate Chardonnay Barrel Fermented
Chardonnay
- USA
- California
- Central Coast
- Sta. Rita Hills
Community Tasting Notes 38
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The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 95 points
February 13, 2021 - Retail $35. DIAM 10 Closure. OK, I am going to try to keep it together here as this was the last bottle of the case of this wine I bought I am not entirely sure how long ago. Sniff. I have a long history with Clos Pepe (and to a lesser extent, winemaker Wes Hagen), which I have chronicled many times in this space and on my wine blog (shameless plug alert): http://www.thedrunkencyclist.com. So I am a bit sad but this wine assuages me out of my melancholy--this is freaking gangbusters (no doubt Wes would have used slightly more colorful language there). Yellow straw in the glass with a warmly toasted-nut (basked with lemon curd) aspect in the glass. The palate is defined by the acidity (striking), but buoyed by the subtly intense (can that be a thing?) fruit, a dab of oakiness, layers of complexity, and a dollop of minerality. Since my first sip of Clos Pepe Chardonnay, I have berated (maybe too strong?) Wes that I thought the best wines made from what I consider to be an American Grand Cru, were not Pinots, but Chardonnay. This serves as justification. Whoa. Complete gangbusters, a wine that *few* would ever guess is over a decade old. Yowza. I miss Wes at the helm of Clos Pepe so much.
http://www.thedrunkencyclist.com -
The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 93 points
January 1, 2020 - After this bottle, I only have one left from this vintage and another dozen total from other various vintages. And that's it--the winery no longer exists. And that is tragic. This is yet another stellar bottle with a touch of funk but otherwise bright green apple and pear. The palate is marvelous: the fruit is slightly muted, but great tartness and minerality with oodles of verve, Whoa. Fantastic. thedrunkencyclist.com
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JOsgood wrote:
May 13, 2019 - Has held up well in the bottle. Just a hint of secondary coming thru now. Was best upon release though.
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onthenose Likes this wine: 92 points
February 9, 2019 - This has great structure, solid lemon/citrus flavors. Medium dry.
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Djfermentation Likes this wine: 93 points
April 8, 2018 - Drank our final bottle, a magnum, last night with family. Wow! This bottle has progressed and evolved so gracefully. We probably could have given it several more years, however, this a great spot now. So fresh, with early fruit flavors mellowing a bit, yet still quite bright. Terrific stuff
Pro Reviews 3
Add a Pro ReviewVinous
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By Josh Raynolds
November/December 2011, IWC Issue #159 (link)(Clos Pepe Estate Chardonnay BF (Barrel Fermented) Sta. Rita Hills) Subscribe to see review text.
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By Antonio Galloni
Exploring California's Central Coast (Aug 2011) (link)(Clos Pepe Estate Chardonnay Barrel Fermented Sta. Rita Hills) Subscribe to see review text.
RJonWine.com
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By Richard Jennings
2/28/2011 (link) 91 points(Clos Pepe Estate Chardonnay Barrel Fermented) Tart citrus, tart apple nose; tasty, tart apple, tart citrus palate with medium acidity, needs 2 years; medium-plus finish (vineyard planted in 1996)
Wine Definition
- Vintage 2009
- Type White
- Producer Clos Pepe Estate
- Varietal Chardonnay
- Designation Barrel Fermented
- Vineyard n/a
- Country USA
- Region California
- SubRegion Central Coast
- Appellation Sta. Rita Hills
Community Holdings
- Pending Delivery 0 (0%)
- In Cellars 22 (13%)
- Consumed 143 (87%)
Food Pairing
Who Likes This Wine
More About This Wine
Articles
- ProducerClos Pepe Estate
- VarietyChardonnay
- CountryUSA
- RegionCalifornia
- SubRegionCentral Coast
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- Wine2009 Clos Pepe Estate Chardonnay Barrel Fermented (add)
- FamilyClos Pepe Estate Chardonnay Barrel Fermented (add)
- ProducerClos Pepe Estate
- VarietalChardonnay
- DesignationBarrel Fermented (add)
- CountryUSA
- RegionCalifornia
- SubRegionCentral Coast
- AppellationSta. Rita Hills (add)