2017 Paul Hobbs Chardonnay Ellen Lane Estate
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Tasting notes
The 2017 Chardonnay Ellen Lane Estate comes from a vineyard in the Russian River Valley and was brought up in 48% new French oak. More white currants, Meyer lemons, brioche, and honeysuckle all emerge from this beauty and it's silky and elegant on the palate, with fabulous balance. Rich, textured, with good acidity and length, it's going to benefit from another 6-12 months of bottle age and should age gracefully for 7-8 years.
Critic scores
James Suckling
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2017 Chardonnay Ellen Lane Estate is bright and focused, as it usually is. Medium in body, the 2017 is also a bit reticent. I suspect much of that is attributable to its bottling a short time prior to this tasting. Time in the glass brings out an attractive set of floral notes and a citrus character that is quite distinctive.
This is a layered and very beautiful chardonnay with nuances of cooked apples and hints of toasted oak and limes. Full-bodied, tight and focused. Pretty finish. Shows length and balance. Drink or hold.
Produced from Old Wente Hyde Selection clones, the 2017 Chardonnay Ellen Lane Estate leaps from the glass with gregarious notions of candied ginger, lemongrass, yuzu zest and allspice with a core of green mango and pineapple plus a waft of crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, the palate features a truly zippy line of freshness lifting the densely packed, opulent tropical and spice layers to a very long finish. Fantastic tension! 434 cases were made, to be released in March 2019.
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.