There are several key qualities we look for in the highest quality Chardonnays during our tastings. First is the color intensity, and we evaluate it for a golden hue that’s both striking and pure.
Next are the aromatics, and we look to smell both complexity and precision detail.
On the palate, the most important thing we look for is balance. A great Chardonnay can be rich, and opulent, but it needs to be finely threaded with enough acidity to be refreshing, and to not fall flat.
We found all of these features in a glass of 2016 La Follette Lorenzo Vineyard Chardonnay, and it turns out we were not alone. With 94-95 Point scores from Lisa Perotti-Brown (RobertParker.com) and Jeb Dunnuck (JebDunnuck.com), this micro-produced Chardonnay is screaming for your attention.
At under $40, it’s truly one of the better examples of California Chardonnays in this price range that we’ve tasted in recent memory.
La Follette is all about showcasing terroir, and their goal is to create a wine that is transparent to the individual site from which the wine originates.
The Lorenzo Vineyard lies in the middle of Sonoma’s iconic Russian River Valley AVA and the vineyard gets plenty of cooling fog in the mornings and evenings which help the grapes maintain acidity throughout their lifecycle.
The 10 acre vineyard is planted to Old Wente Clone, which is a classic Chardonnay clone preferred for producing wines with intense aromatics, and rich textures. With just 128 cases produced, I wouldn’t wait to secure yours.
LA FOLLETTE
2016 CHARDONNAY
LORENZO VINEYARD
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
Retails at: $50.00Â
Members’ price: $39.99
From RobertParker.com (Wine Advocate), “The 2016 Chardonnay Lorenzo Vineyard has gregarious scents of honeycomb, pink grapefruit, green mango and nectarines with touches of croissant and apple blossom. Medium-bodied, it fills the palate with great tension and tightly wound mineral and tropical layers, finishing with great length and depth. 128 cases produced.” 94 Points -LPB
From JebDunnuck.com, “A step up, the 2016 Chardonnay Lorenzo Vineyard comes from a vineyard in the Russian River and spent ten months in 20% new French oak. It has riveting notes of caramelized lemons, white flowers, salty minerality, and toasted bread. Clean, pure, medium to full-bodied, with integrated acidity and a great finish, it has a racy, vibrant style that’s backed up by terrific intensity and depth. It’s a beauty.” 95 Points
NOTE: All wines offered for sale on this website are sold through our affiliate and fulfillment partner, Wine Country Connection.
Customers that enjoy the La Follette Lorenzo Vineyard Chardonnay, may also enjoy these two terrific Chards…
VINE CLIFF
2017 CHARDONNAY
LOS CARNEROS
Retails at: $50.00
Your Price: Members Only Pricing
Winery Notes: “.. opens up with inviting citrus notes of Meyer lemon and mandarin orange, followed by floral notes of honey suckle, and jasmine. A second breath of wine takes you to a place of minerals, with hints of flint and wet stones. The gentle kiss of oak seems to seep through the fruit ever so slowly. The beauty of this vintage is reflected by the perfect balance between fruit, oak, and acid. The palate exhibits a depth of fruit flavors ranging from golden delicious apple, tangelo, and nectarine. On the finish the wine ends with a medley of honey, citrus, and floral notes.”
MONTAGU
2017 CHARDONNAY
DURELL VINEYARD
Retails at: $55.00
Your price: Members Only Pricing
Winery Notes: “This Chardonnay hails exclusively from the DurellVineyard in Sonoma Coast. The Chardonnay is bright, powerful, and driven by a flinty minerality balanced with tropical fruit notes of white peach, honeyed apricots, and lemon curd with hints of mint and citrus. This wine was fermented in French barrels and spent one year in barrel leading to wonderfully balanced oak integration while sur lee aging developed rich complexity.”
