From producer Cameron Hughes:
Lot 4 is the archetype for Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, representing Burgundian purity at its best!
Lot 4 2023 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay comes to us from what many winemakers claim is the finest vineyard for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in California. Located just outside of Freestone on a south facing hillside of Goldridge soils at 400-800 feet, this is truly one of California's Grand Cru sites for Burgundian varietals. Similar to other Grand Cru sites like Ritchie Vineyard, vintners compete for the rights to purchase fruit from this vineyard with bottle prices ranging from $60 all the way up to $150.
But, by the sounds of it, they shall compete no more. The vineyard was recently purchased and new ownership is taking all the fruit in-house. Turns out my winemaker is friendly with their winemaker and we got a phone call that ownership was trimming their sails on the inaugural bottling, would we like first crack at the excess gallonage? Hell, yeah.
Quite frankly, I was in just on the first sniff. The wine came with a price, however, as I paid twice the market rate to close. Nevertheless, I still think it's a fantastic deal, especially when you consider their plan is to launch their brand well north of $100/bottle.
Trust me on this one folks, if you love racy, lip-smacking acidity with tremendous purity and complexity, this beautiful Burgundian-styled Chardonnay is right up your alley.
