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SKU 989451
$51.30/bottle
Out of stock
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The 2022 Chardonnay Rhyolite (named after the volcanic rhyolitic soils where these vines are grown) was fermented and matured for 11 months in 50% French oak and stainless steel. It opens with touches of flint that give way to yellow apples, peach pit and floral aromas. The palate is more open at this early stage, offering concentrated, peachy fruit and honeyed undertones. It has a satiny texture, vibrant acidity and a long, layered finish. It will benefit from 2-3 years in the cellar.
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.
WA94pts
Wine Advocate
The 2022 Chardonnay Rhyolite (named after the volcanic rhyolitic soils where these vines are grown) was fermented and matured for 11 months in 50% French oak and stainless steel. It opens with touches of flint that give way to yellow apples, peach pit and floral aromas. The palate is more open at this early stage, offering concentrated, peachy fruit and honeyed undertones. It has a satiny texture, vibrant acidity and a long, layered finish. It will benefit from 2-3 years in the cellar.
JS94pts
James Suckling
Aromas of lemon confit, chalk, white chocolate, nougat, hazelnuts and flint. The palate is medium-bodied with a generous texture and a slight phenolic grip that adds to the complexity. A refined, thoughtful and structured chardonnay that is built to last. Drink or hold.
Winery Notes
Rated 94 - This wine is so attached to the land it comes from that the winery named it after the soil the roots live in. Rhyolite is a volcanic rock, and vines thrive here in the high-elevation, craggy earth on the breezy Sonoma Coast. Sense of place? Terroir? Pax is like, hold my stemware. This wine has a savory nose with sliced pear aromas mingling with sizzling cooking herbs. The mouthfeel is intensely saline while simultaneously deep and grippy. This wine engages the palate and doesn't let go. As they say in Burgundy, the wine is not necessarily Chardonnay, but a reflection of the earth in which it grows. Yep, get that all day in this wine. - VinePair
