93 Points - Wine Spectator
“Makes a statement, offering rich fruit and smoky, toasty oak. This is full and fulfilling, deep and concentrated, echoing apple, melon, anise and cedar flavors. Finishes long and clean. Drink now through 2021.” - James Laube, Wine Spectator, October 2017
Tasting Notes
The 2014 Chateau St. Jean Reserve Chardonnay offers complex aromas of both sweet and savory notes including lemon crème, ginger, toasted almonds and baking spice. The nose rings true on the palate with layered flavors of Crenshaw melon and mango, lemon curd and spiced floral notes. The well structured wine is broad and balanced with a warm, rich texture and good acidity. The long, flavorful finish is pure with a classic lemon oil flavor that is a hallmark for the Sonoma County Reserve Chardonnay.
Vineyard Notes
The 2014 Sonoma County Reserve Chardonnay is our 17th vintage of this wine. For this blend, we selected fruit from the critically acclaimed Robert Young Vineyard in the Alexander Valley and Cold Creek Ranch in the Sonoma Coast appellation along with supporting fruit from, Durell Vineyard in Sonoma Valley and finally, Belle Terre Vineyard also in the Alexander Valley.
Winemaking Notes
Classic winemaking techniques such as sur lie aging for 18 months are used for this wine. Each lot is kept separate throughout the winemaking process and aged in 100% French oak (21% new). A barrel selection from each lot is made to craft the final blend. Winemaker Margo Van Staaveren prefers to give the Reserve Chardonnay a year of bottle age before it’s released.
Vintage Notes
Despite drought conditions, the 2014 vintage proved to be ideal, with excellent quality reminiscent of 2012. The winter was one of the driest on record in California, but substantial rains in early spring were timely and set up the vines for a strong start. Summer temperatures were milder than expected with no extremes, and after early bud break and veraison, harvest was unusually early in 2014.