Old Wente Chardonnay sourced from Fallenleaf Vineyard on the eastern slope of Sonoma Mountain replaces the Rued clone from Stiling Vineyard this year and takes our 1 KM West bottling to a new level. It was quite a journey watching all the pieces unfold in the cellar as many took the better part of a year to finish their natural fermentation, but we could not be happier with the results. No doubt about it, this is our favorite 1 KM West ever!
As usual with this Sonoma Coast wine, our approach uses very little new oak — just enough to support all the naturally occurring goodness. From the get-go, the serious deep green/gold color in the glass indicates that it's not messing around. Loads of citrus oil, citrus peel and baked quince on the nose fold directly into the same impressions on the lemon curd-saturated palate. Just on the fuller side of medium bodied, mouthwatering acidity leaves the wine to finish with a satisfying tensile snap.
Much like our Green Acres Hill Chardonnay, we find its rich-yet-crisp, yin/yang nature to remind us of some old word favorites. While sure to be delicious not long after release, we suggest you also try to sock some away for future enjoyment as we predict a long and lovely life ahead for this beautiful Chardonnay.
DRINKING WINDOWS
Prime drinking: late 2017 through 2021 Graceful ageability: 2022+
VINEYARDS
36% Green Acres Hyde, 28% Fallenleaf, 27% Roberts Road, 9% Green Acres Hill
CLONES
37% Old Wente , 36% Hyde, 27% Dijon 95
STATS
pH: 3.38 | TA: 7.2 g/L | Alcohol: 14.1% Bottling: December 8, 2016 | Release: Fall 2017 Cases Produced: 264
Direct sales are allocated exclusively to EK Allocation List members at a 10% discount. Orders of 6+ bottles save an additional 50% off shipping. New releases ship twice a year, once in the spring and again in the fall. Join EK Allocation List
CUSTOMIZED ALLOCATIONS
You may customize your spring and fall allocations any way you like, from 0–12 bottles of each wine. (Small-lot and list-only wines will have lower limits.) To modify your allocations, click on MY ALLOCATION above. Join EK Allocation List
REORDERS
Wines often sell out at or close to release, so we encourage making the most of your spring and fall allocations. As long as wine remains, you are welcome to reorder online through our EK Special Order store. Or contact John Gillis at john@erickentwines.com or 415.244.9453.
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