2018 Chardonnay, Freestone Vineyards

Winemaker Notes The 2018 Chardonnay opens with generous white flower, lemon zest and fresh pear. A very linear offering with vivid acidity, bright green apple, tart lemon and a mineral driven lengthy finish.

Winemaking Data Chardonnay grapes are picked at night to preserve fruit integrity and freshness, followed by whole cluster pressing cold to barrel for fermentation. The barrels were stirred only as necessary, resulting in a layered, concentrated wine with freshness.

Vintage Notes The 2018 Sonoma Coast growing season was marked by cool, mild weather. The cooler than normal spring delayed budbreak, bloom and veraison by two weeks compared to the previous five years. The mild weather patterns in August and September allowed for excellent overall phenological ripening and development of a complex aroma and flavor profile in the finished wines.

Reviews 95 Points - Robert Parker Wine Advocate
The 2018 Chardonnay Freestone Vineyard, aged 13 months in 41% new French oak, takes its time on the nose, slowly opening to notes of saline, crushed nuts, lemon peel and quince. The palate is medium-bodied, juicy and very silky, its citrusy fruits opening to savory hints underneath, and it finishes very long and nuanced. Give it another couple years in bottle to gain in amplitude. -EB, Sept. 2020

95 Points - Wine Enthusiast
This impressively layered, complex and cool-climate characteristic white is layered in gravelly texture and crushed rock. Briny ocean influence coats a crisp core of green apple and Meyer lemon, leading to a complete finish. -VB, Sept. 2020

95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
The 2018 Chardonnay Freestone Vineyards, aged 13 months in 41% new oak, reveals a medium gold hue as well as rocking notes of buttered lemons, white flowers, and brioche. It's pure, medium-bodied, beautifully balanced, and has a great finish. It gains even more complexity with time in the glass, revealing more green almonds, toasted bread, and mint-laced nuances. I love it today, yet it has a good spice of acidity and is going to evolve gracefully for 4-6 years.

94 Points - James Suckling
This is soft and open with beautiful cooked apple and pie crust. Medium-bodied with a creamy texture and a long, flavorful finish. Tangy and vivid. Drinkable now, but it will age well, too. -JS (May, 2021)

92 Points - Wine Spectator
Intense minerality accents the sleek pear tart and apple pastry flavors, loaded with rich, vibrant acidity. Viscous midpalate, with angel food and creamy accents on the luscious and well-spiced finish. Drink now through 2025. -KM (May, 2020)

90 Points - Antonio Galloni Vinous
The 2018 Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast) is a pretty, understated wine. Lemon oil, tangerine, white flowers and chamomile give the 2018 lovely lift and energy to match its mid-weight personality. (2020)

Tasting Notes Download Tasting Notes (pdf)