2012 Chardonnay Chloe
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Tasting Notes
There are 1,020 cases of the 2012 Chardonnay Chloe (14.2% natural alcohol) which is sourced from the Ritchie Vineyard and represents the oldest vines, having been planted in 1972. It sees about 45% new French oak but you would never know that based on the sensational richness, texture and flavor profiles where the oak plays a minor role. Copious notes of white peach, apricot marmalade, honeysuckle, brioche and subtle hazelnuts jump from the glass of this beauty. Good acidity buttresses the wine’s broad, powerful mouthfeel, providing freshness as well as delineation. It should drink well for a decade or more.
Critic Scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Robert Parker (Hedonist's Gazette)
More reviews and scores
Tasted along side a selection of wines from Peter Michael, Marcassin and Aubert, which Parker described as: "five of the best Chardonays made from California's North Coast". He concluded: "All of these are clearly world-class Chardonnays and, for the price difference and lack of any risk of oxidation, they seemed to be a far surer choice than most white Burgundies these days."
Soft, floral and lifted, the 2012 Chardonnay Chloe Ritchie Vineyard is all about understatement and class. Nothing in particular stands out; rather it is the wine's exceptional balance that is front and center. Soft, nuanced and wonderfully expressive in the glass, the 2012 is a winner. White peach, pear, white flowers and mint are laced into the soft, inviting finish. Jan 2015, www.vinous.com, Drink: 2015-2020