2010 Home Block Chardonnay
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Note di degustazione
30 m south of San Francisco on the eastern slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains at c 800 feet. 30-year-old vines on own roots. Some fog influence. Functionally organic, virtually dry farmed. Barrel fermented in French oak, 30% new. 362 c/s. More deeply coloured than Au Bon Climat. Distinctive nose: savoury, mineral, fruit in the background. Dusty and rocky. On the palate has almost a sourness in that mineral quality but there's still a breadth of fruit with a hint of orange. Slight bitterness on the finish brings it down a little for me in terms of score but distinctive and savoury. (JH)
Punteggi della critica
Punteggio medio
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Altre recensioni e punteggi
Varner's 2010 Chardonnay Home Block is quite a bit fresher than the Amphitheater. Lemon, white peaches, ash and crushed rocks are all layered into this energetic, vibrant Chardonnay. This too, is a large-scaled wine, but the Home Block seems to have handled the challenges of the year a bit more gracefully than the Amphitheater.
Varner’s 2010 Chardonnay Home Block is considerably fresher than the Amphitheater. Lemon, white peaches, ash and crushed rocks are all layered into this energetic, vibrant Chardonnay. This too, is a large-scaled wine, but the Home Block seems to have handled the challenges of the year a bit more gracefully than the Amphitheater. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020. Brothers Jim and Bob Varner describe 2010 as a cold year with two heat spikes that were shorter and less dramatic than in other parts of California. It was a long growing season, and the fruit came in 2-3 weeks later than normal. As always, the Varner and Neely wines were fermented in barrel, with native yeasts, natural fermentation and minimal handling. These broad-shouldered Chardonnays and deep, resonant Pinots remain some of the most compelling wines being made in California. Tel. (650) 321-4894; www.varnerwine.com