2007 Joseph Phelps Chardonnay Freestone Vineyards Pastorale Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 2007 Chardonnay Pastorale Vineyard reveals a more restrained style, but it kicks it up a notch or two in terms of intensity and richness. Nevertheless, the overall impression is one of tangerine oil, crushed rocks, white flowers, quince and subtle background oak. The result is a complex, Corton-Charlemagne-styled Chardonnay with good acidity, considerable body, power, depth and richness, and a touch of oak. This beauty should drink well for 5-7 years. This is the outpost of the Joseph Phelps winery on the Sonoma Coast. For some reason, I missed tasting their Pinot Noirs from bottle, which I enjoyed from barrel. These two bottled Chardonnays were both impressive. Tel. (707) 874-1010
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Pale yellow-gold. Exotic fruits, butterscotch and coconut on the very ripe nose. Then firmer in the mouth than the nose suggests, with solid citric grip and a rather powerful spine of acidity. Impressive concentration and weight here, and very long on the aftertaste. I'd give this a couple years in the cellar before pulling the cork. Winemaker Theresa Heredia told me this chardonnay is picked at 21.5 to 23 degrees Brix "with ripe flavors," and that the lower sugar level produces a fresher, more citrussy wine, as opposed to a buttery, creamy one. She added that the '08 and '06 versions are not as dense as this 2007.
About the producer
California winery Joseph Phelps is best known for its flagship Insignia cuvée, one of the first and finest proprietary red wines in the Napa Valley.