2004 Martinelli Chardonnay Martinelli Road
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Tasting notes
Exotic leesy notes on the nose. Round, seamless and impressively deep, yet still quite young. The wine's distinctly mineral character lingers impressively on the long aftertaste. This cool site, at the foot of Jackass Hill, is one of the Martinellis' last vineyards to be harvested. An excellent showing. Drink over the next five years.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Produced from a Dijon clone, the 2004 Chardonnay Martinelli Road exhibits a liqueur of gravel-like personality along with hints of honeysuckle, beeswax, and liquid stones. It is full-bodied, dense, and concentrated with terrific fruit intensity, medium to full body, and a long finish. This wine had just been bottled when I tasted it, so I suspect my ratings might be somewhat conservative. Before readers inundate the office with questions, the Martinellis were not happy with the Syrah vineyards in 2004 and did not make any wines. (Release date 9/06) Tel. (707) 525-0570; Fax (707) 525-9463
About the producer
Martinelli is a Sonoma benchmark for vineyard-designate bottlings—wines built to highlight how strongly a single site can shape Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Zinfandel. Across the range, the focus stays consistent: small-production bottlings that feel distinctly tied to where they’re grown.