2019 J. Rochioli Chardonnay River Block Vineyard
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
I loved the 2019 Chardonnay River Block, a richer, concentrated, textured Chardonnay that does everything right. Lots of orchard fruits, honeyed flowers, toast, and baking spice notes dominate the bouquet, and this beauty is medium to full-bodied, with a rich, layered mouthfeel and a great finish. It should have 4-6 years of prime drinking, if not more.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2019 Chardonnay River Block has intense scents of almonds, saline, lemon peel and floral perfume with notes of beeswax and graphite. Medium-bodied, the palate is satiny and energetic, perfectly balancing bright mineral and citrus character with savory, nutty undertones, and it has a long, seamless finish. It deserves another couple of years in bottle or a long decant.
The 2019 Chardonnay River Block is dense and powerful in the glass. Wente Clone yields a Chardonnay of real texture, density and weight. Apricot, dried flowers, mint, chamomile and a touch of spice build as this creamy, ample Chardonnay builds, with brighter floral accents that emerge over time. The River Block impresses with exceptional balance and tons of class. The plant material for the River Block was Steve Kistler's former Vine Hill property. (AG)