" We don't sell the wine without touching the vine "
Sonoma Bench Chardonnay 2022
No longer available.
| Country: | United States |
| Regions: | California California (Sonoma County) |
| Winery: | Prestige Wine Company |
| Grape Type: | Chardonnay |
| Organic: | Yes |
| Vintage: | 2022 |
| Bottle Size: | 750 ml |
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Winemaker’s Notes
Our organically farmed high-density Estate parcel sits at the top of the ridge amongst the diverse coastal forest. Although the soil is sandy, there’s a vein of clay in the subsoil that holds winter rain and allows us to dry-farm the vines. The tight spacing keeps the clusters and soil shaded during the summer heat, which allows the fruit to retain all the nuance of the site. The wine produced here has a character - a signature - all to itself and cannot be replicated elsewhere; it's the antithesis of fruity, forward, easy-to-understand Californian Chardonnay. The grapes are small with thick skins, producing a high level of fruit extract, which translates to deep texture and structure in the wine itself. Concentration allied to freshness is the essence of this wine, and it ages beautifully in bottle for ten to twelve years.
The wine’s aromas and flavors are incredibly complex and diverse, akin to citrus oil, preserved lemon, sage, fennel and caraway. The wine is deep, powerful, and layered with oyster shell freshness cutting through the natural density. Lemongrass, spearmint, and grapefruit power the finish, which pulsates with intensity. You could decant this for an hour before serving to hasten its development. Drink between 2025 and 2030. Serve no cooler than 55º F.
Review:
From a site surrounded by dense forest on two sides, the 2022 Chardonnay DuMOL Estate Vineyard is a bright straw hue and has a more vibrant aromatic nose of fresh mint, bright lime, flint, crushed stones, and white peach. Medium to full-bodied, it boasts a remarkably firm structure with a bit of tannin, a chalky texture, and a savory slanting profile, and it’s long and persistent on the finish. It has an assertive but crystalline feel and a crunchy brightness. It demands a bit of time. Drink 2025-2035.
-Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points
This is really tight and minerally with a steely and stony character. Medium-bodied with extract and length. Flint, herbs green apples and limes on the aftertaste. Drink or hold.
-James Suckling 97 Points
Ferren Chardonnay Sonoma Coast is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
The Sonoma Coast bottling is a blend of barrels from Ferren's single vineyard offerings; Lancel Creek, Silver Eagle, Volpert, and Frei Road Vineyards. The wine is always somewhat more approachable early in its life as less new oak is used in the blend. Pure and translucent fruit is the hallmark of this cuvée. Citrus, quince, sea spray, and minerals are buoyed by refreshing acidity and a seamless finish.
Review:
A nuanced, tangy, mouthwatering and approachable wine that is both complex and very drinkable. The aromas are delicate, lifted and fresh, with oyster shells, lime zest, white flowers and chamomile. The palate is super fresh, layering salinity, richness and a long finish. Medium- to full-bodied. Drink or hold
-James Suckling 98 Points
Succulent and fleshy, with notes of apricot pastry, grilled peach and salted butterscotch, along with fresh acidity, plus details of lemon zest, tangerine and lime sorbet. Fresh ginger and white tea linger on the long, expressive finish alongside a touch of chewy dried mango. Drink now.—M.W.
-Wine Spectator 93 Points
Ferren Chardonnay Volpert Vineyard is 100 percent Chardonnay.
At the end of Taylor Lane outside of the coastal village of Occidental lies Volpert Vineyard. With the Pacific Ocean in sight, this vineyard resides at the far western edge of the West Sonoma Coast AVA. As such, this may be the source of our most high-toned and mineral laden wines. Owned by the Volpert family and farmed organically by Greg Adams, these five acres of heritage clone Pinot noir and Chardonnay are at the absolute cutting edge of Sonoma Coast viticulture.
Review:
The 2022 Chardonnay Volpert Vineyard brings together all the elements that make this such a great Chardonnay vintage at Ferren. Complex and dynamic in the glass, the Volpert dazzles with its depth, textural presence and overall complexity. Citrus confit, slate, apricot, passion fruit and mint are some of the notes that come to life with a bit of time in the glass. The 2022 is, quite simply, magnificent. That it was made from vines that were just a few years old at the time is even more remarkable. Don't miss it.
-Antonio Galloni (Vinous) 97 Points
Aromatic and distinctive, with a hint of smoked sea salt up front. Offers flavors of pear, yellow apple and peach at the core, with lime zest and herbal accents of lemon verbena, lemon balm and honeysuckle, plus a touch of fresh ginger. All of the flavors reverberate with fresh acidity and cardamom details on the finish. Drink now through 2038.—M.W.
-Wine Spectator 95 Points
The Sonoma Coast bottling is a blend of barrels from Ferren's single vineyard offerings; Lancel Creek, Silver Eagle, Volpert, and Frei Road Vineyards. The wine is always somewhat more approachable early in its life as less new oak is used in the blend. Pure and translucent fruit is the hallmark of this cuvée. Citrus, quince, sea spray, and minerals are buoyed by refreshing acidity and a seamless finish.
12 months in barrel, then 6 months in stainless steel15% new, 85% neutral
Tronçais and Vosges forests
100% 4-year air dry stave wood
100% 228 liter François Frères French oak barrels
Review:
Coming from a cooler and later ripening site, the 2022 Chardonnay Zephyr Farm Vineyard has such a sense of place with its coastal and vibrant feel. It has a savory touch that I love, with a fantastic freshness, and the palate is bright and focused, with a great, compact feel. And while it has the electricity I come to expect from this site, there’s just a touch more rounded opulence to even things out, so it isn’t austere, finishing with notes of delicate oak spice. Founded by winemaker Matt Courtney and his longtime friend David Wherritt, Ferren focuses on single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the far Sonoma Coast. They had initially set out to be a Pinot Noir house, but they now produce an equal amount of Chardonnay, and the wines don’t disappoint. The whites are textural, balanced, and highly expressive across the board.
-Audrey Frick (Jeb Dunnuck) 98 Points
Ferren Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.
100% native fermentation (primary and secondary), long cool fermentations often lasting up to a full year, minimal lees stirring, no additions of any kind (commercial yeast, water, acid, enzymes, etc., never any fining or filtration). Aged 18 months in 15% new French oak (Francois Freres, Vosges, Troncais Forrests)
Review:
A youthful red color, the 2022 Pinot Noir Volpert Vineyard is deep, long, and layered with ripe cherry fruit and fresh leather. It has the more savory feel that I find on the coast, with orange oils, sappy herbs, medicinal herbs, and dark berries. It also has a Chinato-like quality, with well-defined tannins and a chalky texture through its very long, citrus-noted finish. Founded by winemaker Matt Courtney and his longtime friend David Wherritt, Ferren focuses on single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the far Sonoma Coast. They had initially set out to be a Pinot Noir house, but they now produce an equal amount of Chardonnay, and the wines don’t disappoint. The whites are textural, balanced, and highly expressive across the board.
-Audrey Frick (Jeb Dunnuck) 98 Points
The 2022 Pinot Noir Volpert Vineyard is pure and expressive. The nose is a well of cranberry, pomegranate, orange peel, licorice and oolong tea leaves and foresty, oceanic undertones. The medium-bodied palate offers layer after layer of pure, perfumed red berry fruit. It’s structured by fine, velvety tannins and vibrant acidity and has an epically long, complex finish.
-Erin Brooks (Robert Parker) 96 Points
Argot Chardonnay Sonoma County is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
Pouring a green-tinted gold, our Sonoma County Chardonnay is a beautiful wine from word go. Radiating from within, a blast of apple/pear fruit informs this wine both aromatically, and on the palate. As flavors unfurl, a progression of orange blossom, pineapple, white peach, and hazlenut are followed by a finish dominated by ginger, baked apple, with a trailing kiss of mint’s freshness. A stunning wine — wholly informed by the perfection of 2018’s growing season — defined by its dichotomy of massively intense flavors, and superb acidity and freshness.
Raised by minimalistic methods, often associated with the classic Chardonnay winemaking techniques of Meursault. With a focus on the coolest Chardonnay region in Sonoma County, 2018’s long, even growing season favored our vineyards’ moderate climate, old vines and deep volcanic soils. These grapes were allowed an extended ripening period on the vine, resulting in perfect balance and concentrated flavors.
Review:
Starting with the 2018 Chardonnay Sonoma County, this solid effort reveals lots of ripe pear and caramelized citrus, with a touch of orange blossom and toasty oak, to go with a medium-bodied, nicely textured, balanced style on the palate. It’s well-made and well worth enjoying over the coming 2-4 years, if not longer.
-Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points
Product Description
Sonoma Bench Chardonnay is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
Rich golden in color. Balanced oak and toast aromas transform into layers of vanilla and brioche amid pear and apple. A luscious wine on the palate; flavors progress with lime citrus, white peach and lemon curd. Texture is silky and rich with just enough firm acidity to achieve a balanced wine whose flavors linger on the palate. Enjoy now or cellar for 2 years.
Review:
"Medium yellow gold. Rich fruit runs through this Chardonnay from the first whiff to the long finish. Aromas and flavors of citrus and orchard fruit complemented by hints of brioche and toast. Hand sorted, whole cluster pressed and fermented with native yeasts with battonage through malo; aged in 25% new French oak for 10 months." I-Wine Review (July 2024), 91 ptsWinery: Prestige Wine Company
One of the most experienced wine industry experts in California, Tom Hinde has extensive expertise in all facets of the wine business – from vineyard cultivation to winery management and hands-on artisan winemaking – his broad skill set has been instrumental in the success of many brands created by him.
Tom’s impressive resume spans over three decades with prior posts at some of California’s most acclaimed wineries: from 2005 to 2010, Tom was President, CEO and Director of Winemaking for Flowers Vineyard and Winery, a specialty Pinot Noir and Chardonnay producer located on the Sonoma Coast.
From 1997 to 2005, Tom was General Manager for Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates and helped develop two famed Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon programs as part of the winemaking teams for Lokoya and Cardinale. Additionally, Tom supported the winemaking team at Stonestreet Winery and launched the world-renowned Vérité Estate. For seven years, Tom was General Manager at La Crema and Hartford Family Winery where he helped build La Crema into one of Sonoma County’s most prominent wine producers.
At Prestige, Tom has leveraged his longstanding grower relationships to source from Napa Valley’s most sought-after fruit, providing him with the top-quality grapes necessary to craft the finest Cabernet Sauvignon from the region. From Sonoma County, he and David outsource the best fruit from Russian River Valley region one of the best wine growing regions in the world. This combined with Tom’s deft winemaking approach and exceptional palate has propelled the highly coveted wines world-wide.
Tom has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Toledo and a winemaking certificate from the highly regarded University of California, Davis. Tom lives in Santa Rosa and Truckee, California, with his wife and three children.
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All older vintage wines have been purchased from a single collectors cellar. Pictures can be requested before shipment.
Freelander Pinot Noir is made from 100% Pinot Noir.
An easy-drinking California Pinot Noir aged in a mix of French and American oak. Baked cherry and violet lead the nose; the palate is crisp and bright, with red currant, baking spice and vivid strawberry, finishing gently on a touch of toasted oak.
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