2023 Ernest Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

The 2023 Ernest Sonoma Coast Chardonnay shows an outstanding balance of minerality, citrus, texture, and just a hint of reductiveness. The grapes come from the estate vineyard and different sections of the Ocean View Vineyard (old vines Clone 4 and younger plantings of Wente), right on the edge of Green Valley and the Sonoma Coast. On the nose, you'll get lemon zest, crunchy orchard fruit, and a touch of honeysuckle, leading into a mouthful of citrus peels, saline minerality, and delicate creaminess. The grapes were picked in mid-September - about a month later than 2022 - and spent nine months in barrique (25% new French oak, lightly toasted to add texture). The wine underwent full malolactic fermentation, with no bâtonnage, and was filtered for clarity. It's a precise coastal Chardonnay. Delicious. (ACQ)

As you probably noticed, the last few offerings we had from Ernest disappeared fast! Thankfully, I was able to go back to the winery and rustle up another phenomenal deal, this time on their 2023 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay. Hailing from a single vineyard called Ocean View Vineyard on the western edge of Green Valley / West Sonoma Coast, the wine is made in part from Old Wente Clone fruit, combined with younger plantings of Clone 4 Chardonnay. The style is classic Ernest: fresh, vibrant, full of zesty mineral tones and lots of energy. Native yeast fermented and matured in largely neutral French oak, this is very much in a Chablis-esque style, with great focus and saline minerality. Coming in at just 12% ABV, this racy Chard has lifted white flowers, crunchy orchard fruit, quince, Golden Delicious apple, citrus oil, raw hazelnut, chalky minerals, and a subtle toasted grain / pie crust note on the finish. Really focused and refreshing, and a spectacular value at our deeply discounted price. We bought everything we could - don’t miss it!