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SKU 920556
$540.00/case
$90.00/bottle
Tariffs included
Out of stock
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The 2020 Chardonnay Carex is bright and nicely focused. Slate, crushed rocks, mint, white pepper and sage lend quite a bit of tension to this mid-weight, nervy Chardonnay. I suppose there could be a bit more to the mid-palate, but this is a very, very good wine for the year.
Of all the white wine grape varietals, surely the one that has spread the furthest and is most widely appreciated is Chardonnay. This green-skinned grape is now grown all over the Old and New Worlds, from New Zealand to the Americas, from England to Chile, and is one of the first varietals people think of when considering white wine grapes. Perhaps this is because of its huge popularity, which reached a peak in the 1990s, thanks to new technologies combining with traditional methods to bring the very best features out of the Chardonnay grape and allow its unique qualities to shine through. Most fine Chardonnay wines use a process known as malolactic fermentation, wherein the malic acids in the grape juice are converted to lactic acids, allowing a creamier, buttery nature to come forward in the wine. No grape varietal is better suited to this process than Chardonnay, which manages to balance these silky, creamy notes with fresh white fruit flavors beautifully.
Country
United States
Of all the New World wine countries, perhaps the one which has demonstrated the most flair for producing high quality wines - using a combination of traditional and forward-thinking contemporary methods - has been the United States of America. For the past couple of centuries, the United States has set about transforming much of its suitable land into vast vineyards, capable of supporting a wide variety of world-class grape varietals which thrive on both the Atlantic and the Pacific coastlines. Of course, we immediately think of sun-drenched California in regards to American wines, with its enormous vineyards responsible for the New World's finest examples of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot based wines, but many other states have taken to viticulture in a big way, with impressive results. Oregon, Washington State and New York have all developed sophisticated and technologically advanced wine cultures of their own, and the output of U.S wineries is increasing each year as more and more people are converted to their produce.
Region
California
California as a wine producing region has grown in size and importance considerably over the past couple of centuries, and today is the proud producer of more than ninety percent of the United States' wines. Indeed, if California was a country, it would be the fourth largest producer of wine in the world, with a vast range of vineyards covering almost half a million acres. The secret to California's success as a wine region has a lot to do with the high quality of its soils, and the fact that it has an extensive Pacific coastline which perfectly tempers the blazing sunshine it experiences all year round. The winds coming off the ocean cool the vines, and the natural valleys and mountainsides which make up most of the state's wine regions make for ideal areas in which to cultivate a variety of high quality grapes.
Appellation
Sonoma Coast
Sonoma Coast, a prized wine appellation in California, stands out for its breathtaking landscapes and cool-climate viticulture. What makes Sonoma Coast unique is its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, bringing maritime influences that create ideal conditions for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. The region's diverse topography, including rolling hills and coastal ridges, allows for a range of microclimates, contributing to the complexity and character of its wines.
Sonoma Coast wines, particularly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, are celebrated for their elegance, vibrant acidity, and expressive fruit flavors. Notable sub-appellations like Russian River Valley and Fort Ross-Seaview exemplify the diversity within the larger Sonoma Coast region. Winemakers embrace sustainable practices, further enhancing the appellation's appeal.
Exploring Sonoma Coast offers wine enthusiasts a captivating journey into the synergy between land and vine, where the Pacific's influence shapes wines of remarkable finesse and distinct terroir expression.
VM93pts
Vinous Media
The 2020 Chardonnay Carex is bright and nicely focused. Slate, crushed rocks, mint, white pepper and sage lend quite a bit of tension to this mid-weight, nervy Chardonnay. I suppose there could be a bit more to the mid-palate, but this is a very, very good wine for the year.
JD93pts
Jeb Dunnuck
Carex is the Latin name for a type of grass that grows in the vineyard. The 2020 Chardonnay Carex has delicate floral aromatics of fresh honeysuckle, apple blossom, wet stone, and lime zest. The palate is full of energy and fresh acidity and is zippy with lemon zest, wet stone, and green apple skin. Drink this over the next 10 or more years.
