2012 Ritchie Vineyard Chloe Chardonnay
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Tasting notes
Soft, floral and lifted, the 2012 Chardonnay Chloe Ritchie Vineyard is all about understatement and class. Nothing in particular stands out; rather it is the wine's exceptional balance that is front and center. Soft, nuanced and wonderfully expressive in the glass, the 2012 is a winner. White peach, pear, white flowers and mint are laced into the soft, inviting finish.
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Average Score
Robert Parker
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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There are 1,020 cases of the 2012 Chardonnay Chloe (14.2% natural alcohol) which is sourced from the Ritchie Vineyard and represents the oldest vines, having been planted in 1972. It sees about 45% new French oak but you would never know that based on the sensational richness, texture and flavor profiles where the oak plays a minor role. Copious notes of white peach, apricot marmalade, honeysuckle, brioche and subtle hazelnuts jump from the glass of this beauty. Good acidity buttresses the wine’s broad, powerful mouthfeel, providing freshness as well as delineation. It should drink well for a decade or more.
DuMol's 2012 Chardonnay Chloe Ritchie Vineyard shows a little more restraint in this vintage, much of that coming from the larger crop of the year. Textured and totally silky on the palate, the 2012 stands out for its impeccable balance and sense of poise. Today, the Chloe is one of the more fully formed, developed Chardonnays in the range.