2017 Cuvee Louisa Goldrock Estate Chardonnay
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2017 Chardonnay Goldrock Estate Cuvée Louisa offers a beguiling interplay of aromas, flavors and structure. Less obvious than some of the other Chardonnays in the range, the Cuvée Louisa is all about shades of understatement and nuance. Dried flowers, citrus peel, almond and sage are some of the many aromas and flavors that shape this expressive Sonoma Coast Chardonnay.
Critic scores
James Suckling
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Picked on September 26, the 2017 Chardonnay Cuvée Louisa Goldrock Estate opens savory with notes of mushroom paste and wet bark, slowly blossoming to allspice, sliced apples, crushed shell, fresh quince, lemon peel and stone with white stone fruits at the core. The palate is medium to full-bodied and pleasantly creamy with restrained, spice-laced fruits and well-woven freshness, finishing long and spicy. This is the inaugural vintage of this bottling, named after Paul's daughter Louisa. 173 cases produced.
One the standouts in this range, the 2017 Chardonnay Goldrock Estate is a very pretty wine the captures the vibrancy of this coastal site, while also offering a bit more textural depth than the 2016 tasted alongside it. White flowers, mint white peach are some of the many notes that emerge. Creamy, layered and vivid the Goldrock presents a striking interplay of Sonoma Coast minerality and resonant, generous fruit.
What an eclectic and electric combination of honeysuckle, dried mangoes, camembert, citrus rind, orange zest, dried nutmeg, granite and quartz. The palate is edgy with punchy acidity, but structured phenolics bolster a tangy package of stone fruit. Full-bodied but racy and restrained. Drink now or hold.
About the producer
Paul Hobbs is one of California wine’s biggest names. Twice named Wine Personality of the Year by Robert Parker, he joined Robert Mondavi in 1977, worked at Opus One and Simi before setting up his eponymous winery in 1991.