January 7, 2024 - Probably would never have guessed this as Chardonnay blind - it seems a bit sweet and oxidized with a lot of bruised apple and almond. Reminds me of chenin in a way. I’m hoping this was not a representative bottle.
June 4, 2023 - Very deep yellow and gold in color. This wine gets 100 points for texture and mouthfeel alone. It's very smooth on the tongue and goes down with full body and balance with a finish that is unending. It is more viscous than dry chardonnay normally is.
Nose of almonds, light honeycomb and baking spices.
Flavors of almond biscotti (there's that baking spice again), sweet stone fruit (but it's definitely dry) and ripe honeydew melon. Flavors I DONT GET are apple and minerals/stone (which Ive gotten in their other vintages...not a complaint, just observation)
But the best part is that the smells and flavors are in this rich and balanced mouthfeel and long, smooth finish that makes this old wine such a joy to drink.
The next day, it picked up apple flavors and a shorter finish, but still very good, so I say drink now (mid 2023) but in 2 years will certainly become sweeter and even more viscous.
January 17, 2022 - WIML92
Tasted non blind.
Yellow color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of caramel, brown spice and mixed yellow fruits. Earthy flavors of yellow pears, yellow apples and kumquats. Medium acidity, medium to full bodied. Drink or hold.
August 27, 2021 - Cheese rind, butter and some lees and oxidation Myer lemon full on the palate and still decent acidity…
More muted than I remember could be in a quiet period
January 19, 2021 - Great
December 29, 2020 - A floral, saline and light lemon nose. It is great to see a CA chardonnay of this quality that has aged well. A few years to go too. Acid has softened from a few years ago; the other elements have nicely resolved. Tastes of almonds, pears, minerals, flowers with a drop of sweetness (sort of a hint of honey/butterscotch). A long, lingering finish of almonds, citrus, and orange peel. An excellent and unique CA wine experience.
September 13, 2020 - This bottle seemed excessively oxidized.
July 12, 2019 - Gorgeous with many years of life ahead
May 17, 2019 - Time has burnished this to a dark yellow, with great legs. More than lives up to its name with mineral- and stone-laced fruit on the nose, with a hint of beeswax. Very much on the lean side in the mouth, with bracing acidity but more than sufficient fruit to provide balance. Long, crystalline fruit impression. Still has years of life ahead. Less giving than some other vintages I have had, but still pretty good. 5-12-15-8: 90/100.
March 3, 2019 - Drinking great now.