2014 Estate Chardonnay
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Tasting notes
A full-bodied white with sliced lemon, lime and cooked apple character. Full body, rich and layered. Always a wonderful glass of chardonnay. Drink now.
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
Rich nose and then extremely tense on the palate. Apparently the Wine Spectator loved it so it sold out particularly quickly. A sore throat wine that would soothe any larynx. Sweet-fruited but lively with strong pear-juice notes. Persistent and all pleasure but I don't think there is much point in ageing it for very long. (JR)
The 2014 Chardonnay Estate opens with inviting aromatics. Bright, floral and nuanced, the 2014 offers striking complexity and energy. There is a hint of reduction, but that is not a negative. Readers who enjoy focused Chardonnays will find much to admire in the 2014. This is a gorgeous wine from Ridge. Lemon, white pepper and mint add the closing layers of nuance. In 2014, Ridge bottled less of their Monte Bello Chardonnay than the norm, which may be one of the reasons the Estate is so expressive.
About the producer
Best known for its iconic Monte Bello, Ridge Vineyards makes some of California’s finest wines – particularly Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. Long a pioneer of sustainable farming and minimal-intervention winemaking, Ridge makes an extensive range from Sonoma County and the Santa Cruz Mountains.