2019 La Jota Chardonnay W.S. Keyes Vineyard
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The excellent 2019 Chardonnay W.S. Keyes is a different style of Napa Chard, with only 10% new French oak puncheons and no malolactic fermentation, there's a delicate wood influence akin to pencil shavings, with more emphasis placed on pear, apple and citrus notes. Medium-bodied, this is a crisp, lean and focused effort that retains a pleasantly silky feel and plenty of length.
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James Suckling
Jeb Dunnuck
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Aromas of white peaches with hints of apples and stones. Medium to full body with a creamy texture and tangy acidity. Wonderful, agile layers and mouth-feel. Hint of peach pie at the end. Unique character. Drink now or hold.
The 2019 Chardonnay W.S. Keyes is fabulous. Bright and translucent in the glass, the Chardonnay from Keyes is so distinctive. Crushed rocks, mint, white pepper and lemon peel all grace this exquisite, wonderfully nuanced Chardonnay. There aren't a lot of white grapes left on Howell Mountain these days. The Keyes Chardonnay shows how distinctive whites can be here.
The third vintage for this cuvée and brought up in 10% new puncheons (24 months with no malolactic fermentation), the 2019 W.S. Keyes Vineyard Chardonnay offers a vibrant, cooler style in its pear, stone fruits, caramelized citrus, and floral aromas and flavors. With plenty of background minerality, medium body, bright acidity, and a great finish, it will evolve for a decade.