As this marvelous old plot comes to the end of its life (yes, cue the open weeping) it continues to gift us with a tiny amount of breathtaking raw material to craft our only vineyard-designated Chardonnay.
From the moment you get it in the glass, this is obviously some serious stuff. Deeply robed in a vibrant green-gold color, intense, laser-like flavors of lemon-lime curd, baked quince and green apple are all framed in a judicious amount of carefully selected French oak. Using slightly more new wood this year (still only 22%), we relied exclusively on a proprietary barrel from one of our favorite coopers that lets the natural power and glory of this tiny-berried Old Wente site shine through. The long, mouth-filling finish ends with a whip crack of lively acidity and subtle toasty, hazelnut flavors. Vintage after vintage, our Green Acres Hill Chardonnay is a very complete experience that would give many reds a run for their money in terms of palate presence and complexity. It’s a wine that really has it all.
With 136 cases and a handful of magnums in total production, there’s not much to go around. There is even less of the 2016 vintage already in barrel, and after that, no more! As I write these notes, the old, virused vines are being ripped out and replanted. Like we’ve said many times before, we are not trying to make Burgundy in California (that can only be done in Burgundy – imagine that), but there’s an undeniable sense of the old world with this wine. So for these last two vintages, we must enjoy it while we can!
DRINKING WINDOWS
Prime drinking: mid 2017 through 2021 Graceful ageability: 2022+
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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