TWI
97pts
The Wine Independent
The 2019 Upper Barn Chardonnay features youthful notes of lemongrass, preserved kumquats, lime cordial, and grapefruit oil plus hints of wet slate and coriander seed. The medium to full-bodied palate is packed with citrus and mineral layers supported by a satiny texture and racy backbone, finishing long and zesty. This is impressive! Part of the vineyard is planted to 1982 Old Wente clone vines on AXR rootstock.
TWI
97pts
The Wine Independent
The 2019 Upper Barn Chardonnay features youthful notes of lemongrass, preserved kumquats, lime cordial, and grapefruit oil plus hints of wet slate and coriander seed. The medium to full-bodied palate is packed with citrus and mineral layers supported by a satiny texture and racy backbone, finishing long and zesty. This is impressive! Part of the vineyard is planted to 1982 Old Wente clone vines on AXR rootstock.
From a site at an 1,800-foot elevation, this wine is oaky and spiced, with an opening of lush apple, nutmeg and tropical flair. Minerality enters in the form of crushed rock, with well-hewn structure and high acidity at play. A note of butterscotch lingers on the finish.
From a site at an 1,800-foot elevation, this wine is oaky and spiced, with an opening of lush apple, nutmeg and tropical flair. Minerality enters in the form of crushed rock, with well-hewn structure and high acidity at play. A note of butterscotch lingers on the finish.
The 2019 Chardonnay Upper Barn Vineyard brings serious richness and depth yet still has a more mineral-laced, pure, balanced style. Ripe tangerines, white currants, brioche, honeyed minerality, and toast all dominate the bouquet, and this beauty is balanced, with nicely integrated acidity and a great finish. It doesn't match the vibrancy and precision of the 2017 and is more in the softer, more rounded style of the 2018.
The 2019 Chardonnay Upper Barn Vineyard brings serious richness and depth yet still has a more mineral-laced, pure, balanced style. Ripe tangerines, white currants, brioche, honeyed minerality, and toast all dominate the bouquet, and this beauty is balanced, with nicely integrated acidity and a great finish. It doesn't match the vibrancy and precision of the 2017 and is more in the softer, more rounded style of the 2018.
The 2019 Chardonnay Upper Barn Vineyard, matured in 50% new oak for 10 months, is reticent on the nose, taking a lot of time to segue from flint to baked apples, panna cotta and toast. The light-bodied palate features savory flavors complemented by lively acidity, and it has an expansive, spicy finish. Give it another 2-3 years in the bottle. 802 cases were made.
The 2019 Chardonnay Upper Barn Vineyard, matured in 50% new oak for 10 months, is reticent on the nose, taking a lot of time to segue from flint to baked apples, panna cotta and toast. The light-bodied palate features savory flavors complemented by lively acidity, and it has an expansive, spicy finish. Give it another 2-3 years in the bottle. 802 cases were made.
The 2019 Chardonnay Upper Barn Vineyard is weightless and wonderfully nuanced. Tangerine oil, mint, crushed rocks and chamomile are all finely sketched. Time in the glass brings out attractive tropical overtones, but the Upper Barn is really a wine of energy more than anything else.
The 2019 Chardonnay Upper Barn Vineyard is weightless and wonderfully nuanced. Tangerine oil, mint, crushed rocks and chamomile are all finely sketched. Time in the glass brings out attractive tropical overtones, but the Upper Barn is really a wine of energy more than anything else.
From the Upper Barn vineyard at over 480m in the Alexander Valley planted in 1982 to Old Wente clone Chardonnay, old vines in this part of California for Chardonnay. 2019 shows the early makings of the 2011 and is developing a similar elegance but is complete in its richenss of fruit at present. Cardamom and bruised apples and accents of lemon cream aromatics lean into a palate of lemon cream, honeyed peach and almond notes. It doesn't show the laser precision of the 2011 but offers generous, ample fruit.
From the Upper Barn vineyard at over 480m in the Alexander Valley planted in 1982 to Old Wente clone Chardonnay, old vines in this part of California for Chardonnay. 2019 shows the early makings of the 2011 and is developing a similar elegance but is complete in its richenss of fruit at present. Cardamom and bruised apples and accents of lemon cream aromatics lean into a palate of lemon cream, honeyed peach and almond notes. It doesn't show the laser precision of the 2011 but offers generous, ample fruit.
Winery Notes
The Upper Barn Vineyard produces our most transporting Chardonnay, delivering a truly unique wine that can only be crafted from this site 1,800ft up the mountain. The stars continue to align as this vineyard continues to produce wines with density and a dreamy mix of aromatics and texture. The texture of the 2019 Upper Barn Vineyard Chardonnay is both opulent and elegant with an acidic backbone and powerful structure that is consistent across the palate. Aromas of cantaloupe, honeycomb, and honeysuckle burst from the glass with beautiful concentration and structure that will only improve with cellaring. This wine is perfectly balanced with flavors of tropical fruit and notes of toast that fully envelope the palate. The finish is round and mouthwatering, with lingering flavors.
