Frei Road, Chardonnay

Notes

Matt Courtney’s Frei Road vineyard comes from the famed Martinelli Ziotony vineyard, the very same site that Marcassin pull fruit from. A single clone, Dijon 548 makes up the blend. The nose here is richer than Lancel creek but also more complex, with fine sweet pastry notes alongside wisps of smoke and stones, fresh pine needles, and then lemon zest. There’s wonderful balance and precision on the palate, despite this offering huge power, with crushed rock notes bolstered by sweet grapefruit and lemon tart. Powerful yet remarkably precise and chiselled, layered, long and classy. Most impressive. No more than 30% new oak is used, all four year old french, with long slow native ferments and the lightest of lees fluffing during fermentation. Élevage takes place over 12 months in oak followed by a further 6 in tank. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. About Frei Road vineyard: This vineyard has been farmed by the Martinelli family for generations, and continues to be tended by George Martinelli. A mild climate graces this corner of Sonoma, and Chardonnay grapes ripen slowly in the well-draining Goldridge soil. Located near the village of Graton in the rolling hills south of the Russian River, Frei Road Vineyard produces a wine of great complexity, tension, and minerality

Notes

Matt Courtney’s Chardonnay Frei Road Vineyard is once again magnificent in 2016. Soaring aromatics keep the Frei Road beautifully lifted, its considerable richness notwithstanding. Lemon confit, white flowers, honey and chamomile add nuance, but it is the wine’s unique sense of translucency and aromatic explosiveness that stand out most. A wine of contrasts and depth, the Frei Road is one of the most singular Chardonnays in California today. Don’t miss it!

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This product may contain sulphites. Full allergen information is available upon request, please call our Customer Relations Team on +44 (0)20 7484 6430.