Chardonnay

Question 1

Domaine Jean Goulley’s Chablis 1er Cru Montmains

Answer 1

Producer: Domaine Jean Goulley
• Appellation: Chablis 1er Cru Montmains
• Farming: Organic since 1991
• Vineyard characteristics:
• Southeast-facing
• Kimmeridgian soil (clay and limestone)
• Average vine age: 45 years
• Planting density: 5,700 vines/hectare
• Training system: Double Guyot
• Yield: Max 55 hl/ha
• Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay
• Vinification:
• Natural yeast fermentation
• Temperature-controlled vats
• No oak aging
• 9 months on lees in stainless steel
• Light filtration before bottling
• Wine style:
• Warm and generous
• Notes of apple, stone fruits, citrus
• Distinctive nutty finish
• Crisp acidity
• Good minerality and fruit purity
• Aging potential: Good
• Montmains climat characteristics:
• Known for approachable yet complex wines
• Benefits from good sun exposure
• Clay-rich soils contribute to wine body

Question 2

2021 Peter Michael “La Carrière” Chardonnay

Answer 2

Producer: Peter Michael Winery
• Appellation: Knights Valley AVA, Sonoma County, California
• Farming: Sustainable viticulture practices
• Vineyard characteristics:
• South and Southeast-facing
• Rocky, volcanic-origin rhyolite soils
• Elevation: 1,200-1,700 feet above sea level
• Steep mountain slopes exceeding 40% in grade
• Shallow, rocky soils with excellent drainage
• Low-yielding vines
• Climate and weather:
• Warmest AVA in Sonoma County
• Pronounced diurnal shift with warm days and cool nights
• Ocean breezes flow through from the west, providing cooling influence
• Surrounded by mountains on all sides, creating a unique microclimate
• Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay
• Vinification:
• 100% natural yeast fermentation
• 100% barrel-fermented in 100% French oak
• Aged 12 months sur lies with weekly bâtonnage
• Light filtration before bottling
• Wine style:
• Rich and concentrated
• Aromas of pear, brioche, jasmine, yellow spring flowers
• Notes of lemon curd, pastry, vanilla bean
• Distinctive minerality
• Lively acidity with a creamy mouthfeel
• Dense mid-palate with ample “gras”
• Aging potential: Excellent, can be cellared for more than a decade
• La Carrière vineyard characteristics:
• Known for terroir-driven minerality
• Bowl-shaped vineyard resembling a quarry
• Benefits from good sun exposure
• Rocky soils contribute to wine’s character and complexity
• Usually produces the lowest yields on the estate
• Food pairing:
• Seafood dishes, particularly shellfish
• Roasted poultry
• Creamy pasta dishes
• Soft and semi-hard cheeses
• Rich vegetarian dishes featuring mushrooms or root vegetables

Question 3

Aubert Park Avenue Chardonnay

Answer 3

Wine Basics
Name: Aubert Park Avenue Chardonnay
Vintage: 2021
Region: Sonoma Coast, California
Varietal: Chardonnay
Tasting Profile
Aroma:
• Lime blossom
• White peach
• Citrus zest
• Crushed stone
• Lemon
• Black tea
Palate:
• Full-bodied, rich, round
• White peach
• Citrus (lemon and lime)
• Stone fruit hints
Texture: Generous mouthfeel, linear and direct structure
Finish: Bright, zesty, long with great length and energy
Critical Reception
• Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: 94-96 points initially, later 96 points
• Praised for balance of richness and freshness
Key Characteristics
• Opulent yet structured
• Showcases Sonoma Coast terroir
• Vibrant acidity and mineral notes
• Good aging potential
Winemaking
• Single-vineyard offering
• Demonstrates balance between power and elegance
• Reflects Aubert’s minimal intervention approach

The Park Avenue vineyard has several unique features that impact the character of the Aubert Park Avenue Chardonnay:

1. Location: The vineyard is nestled between Aubert’s ‘Lauren’ and ‘CIX’ Estate Vineyards on the Sonoma Coast[1].
2. Shared hillside: It shares the same hillside and exposure as the Lauren vineyard, contributing to similar sunlight and climate conditions[1].
3. Distinct soil composition: Despite its proximity to Lauren, Park Avenue has a “distinctly different stretch of ancient seabed and subsoils”[1]. This unique terroir contributes to the wine’s specific character and complexity.
4. Cooling influences: As part of the Sonoma Coast appellation, the vineyard likely benefits from cooling maritime influences, which help maintain acidity and freshness in the grapes.
5. Estate vineyard status: Park Avenue was Aubert’s fourth Estate Vineyard to be planted and fifth to come into production[1], indicating careful site selection and management.

These features combine to create a unique environment that influences the wine’s flavor profile, structure, and overall character. The distinct soil composition, in particular, likely contributes to the wine’s mineral notes and specific flavor nuances that set it apart from other Aubert Chardonnays.

Question 4

2019 Far Niente Chardonnay, Oakville, Napa Valley

Answer 4

Name: Far Niente Chardonnay
Vintage: 2019
Region: Napa Valley, California
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay

Aroma:
- Honeysuckle
- White peach blossom
- Citrus zest
- Vanilla
- Melon
- Sweet toasted oak

Palate:
- Silky stone fruit
- Lemon curd
- Honeydew
- Lightly toasted oak
- Cool minerality
- Lingering citrus note

Texture: Round, full palate

Finish: Long and structured with citrus rind and mouthwatering acid

• Wine Enthusiast: 94 points
• Tasting Panel Magazine: 95 points
• Wine Spectator: 91 points

• Classically beautiful
• Elegant Napa Valley Chardonnay
• Balance of richness and freshness
• Good aging potential (drink through 2023+)

• 40th Anniversary release of Far Niente Chardonnay
• Grapes from Coombsville vineyards
• Hand-picked and hand-sorted
• Fermented in stainless tanks, then racked into French oak barrels
• Aged on lees for 8 months

Vintage Quality: Excellent

Comparison to Other Vintages:
- On par with or slightly better than the exceptional 2018 vintage
- More consistent in quality from bottom to top than 2018
- Similar climate data to 2014, but stylistically different wines

Growing Season:
- Warmer and sunnier than 2018, without extremes
- Long, warm summer with few extreme heat events
- Extended harvest (early September to late October)
- Slightly above-average yield levels
- Foggy mornings led to vibrant and expressive wines

Weather Events:
- Copious early-season rainfall and late soil moisture
- Dry winds and low humidity caused minor berry dehydration
- Growing degree days: 3240 (Oakville, March-November)

Challenges:
- “Public Safety Power Shutoffs” due to wildfire risks

Wine Characteristics:
- Vibrant and expressive
- Bright acidity
- Ample texture
- Freshness and finesse preserved in the fruit
- Abundant hang time led to excellent phenolic development

Aging Potential:
- Good, with some wines expected to cellar for 25 to 35 years or more

• Cool climate, similar to Carneros but less windy
• Deeper soils of gravel and volcanic ash
• Contributes to the wine’s complex character and balance