2016 Ferren Wines Chardonnay Frei Road Vineyard

From a Sonoma Coast vineyard and brought up in one-third new French oak, the 2016 Chardonnay Frei Road Vineyard reveals a medium gold color (there's even a touch of green) as well as brilliant notes of caramelized lemons, honeysuckle, brioche, and crushed rock-like minerality. It's rich, powerful and concentrated on the palate, yet has riving focus and purity, bright acidity, and a distinct salty minerality on the finish. It's the real deal and a magical Chardonnay that could come from nowhere else. Drink it anytime over the coming decade.

Matt Courtney's Chardonnay Frei Road Vineyard is once again magnificent in 2016. Soaring aromatics keep the Frei Road beautifully lifted, its considerable richness notwithstanding. Lemon confit, white flowers, honey and chamomile add nuance, but it is the wine's unique sense of translucency and aromatic explosiveness that stand out most. A wine of contrasts and depth, the Frei Road is one of the most singular Chardonnays in California today. Don't miss it!

The 2016 Chardonnay Frei Road Vineyard opens with scents of struck match, wheat toast and hazelnut with lemon peel, wet stone and white stone fruits. Medium to full-bodied, it's lively in the mouth with mouthwatering acidity and a saline note coming through on the long, textured, lively finish. So energetic! 80 cases were made.