2017 Chardonnay Ross Station Estate
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Tasting notes
The 2017 Chardonnay Ross Station Estate is one of the most elegant and nuanced wines in this lineup. Citrus, white flowers, mint and white pepper all convey freshness as well as energy. There is plenty of the richness readers will expect from a Paul Hobbs Chardonnay, but also an extra kick of finesse that is so alluring; superb.
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Jeb Dunnuck
James Suckling
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The 2017 Chardonnay Ross Station Estate comes from old Wente grown in Goldridge. "This is the first fruit we harvested in 2017," Paul Hobbs says. "We harvested this right as that heat was gearing up before Labor Day." It has a lovely, restrained perfume of nutmeg-laced cream, white blossoms, button mushroom and a core of white peaches and apricot with touches of dried orange peel and crushed shell. It’s medium to full-bodied, rounded and lusciously fruited with fantastic layering of spiced fruits, mineral, savory and earth character, refreshed by vibrant acidity and finishing long on a honeyed note. 339 cases were made.
One of the standouts is the 2017 Chardonnay Ross Station Estate and it has an incredibly polished, elegant, regal style as well as notes of tangerine, white peach, flowers, and honeysuckle. The texture here is first rate and it just glides over the palate with both freshness and richness.
The 2017 Chardonnay Ross Station Estate is expressive and also quite showy, with tropical overtones and an extra kick of textural richness relative to some of the other wines in the range. Soft and caressing on the palate, with lovely depth, the Ross Station has a lot to recommend it. Bright saline notes add freshness to the beautifully layered finish.
About the producer
Paul Hobbs is one of California wine’s biggest names. Twice named Wine Personality of the Year by Robert Parker, he joined Robert Mondavi in 1977, worked at Opus One and Simi before setting up his eponymous winery in 1991.