2021 Martinelli Chardonnay Zio Tony Ranch

Aged in 60% new oak, the 2021 Chardonnay Zio Tony Ranch has a medium golden yellow hue and is rounder on the nose, with notes of baked apples, vanilla spice, buttered citrus, and honeysuckle. Rounded and full-bodied, it has a concentrated, elegant, viscous feel with a silky, supple texture and a long, elegant finish, as well as mouthwatering acidity underneath. Long on the palate, it’s going to benefit from another year or two in bottle and drink well over the following 10 years. One of the most historic names in Sonoma, the Martinellis are sixth-generation winegrowers based in the heart of the Russian River Valley. Prolific farmers, all of their wines come from estate-grown fruit, with 90% of the grapes sold off to other wineries. In addition to focusing on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, they also produce Zinfandel, Syrah, and Muscat of Alexandria. Courtney Robinett Wagoner joined the team in 2015 as the assistant winemaker before being promoted to winemaker in 2017.

The 2021 Chardonnay Zio Tony Ranch is the most savory and phenolic of the Martinelli Chardonnays. As such, it is a wine of earthy subtlety and nuance, with fruit pushed into the background. Dried fruit, herbs, spice and dried pear are some of the notes that shape this distinctive, virile Chardonnay from Altamont and Goldridge soils in the Laguna Ridge district of the Russian River Valley.