Tasting Notes

Release Date: Fall 2015

This is our 29th consecutive vintage from this venerable vineyard which is not only the longest continuous bottling from Edna Valley, it is from its oldest producing vineyard.   Given 2013 was a drought year, the normally stressed Wolff vines were pushed to the extreme. Rainfall was off by 70% resulting in tiny berries and small clusters.  Harvest started in late September and finished in the first week of October.  The Edna Valley Appellation is one of the last major Chardonnay harvests in California and reflects the cool maritime climate which is its influence

As is true of all the wines of 2013, the signature is power.  Showing buoyant aromas of honeysuckle, citrus blossom, lime zest and earth, this Chardonnay has complexity which is due, in part, to the barrel fermentation and lees aging process. On the palate deep intense flavors of guava, mint, passion fruit and earth are delicious and long.

This wine is always one of the best values in California Chardonnay.

Production

5,859

Tech Notes

Yield: 2 tons per acre

Harvest: September 24th-October 5th

Numbers @ Harvest: 23.5° Brix, 3.51 pH, 8.1 grams acidity

Barrel Regimen: Mix of French & American Oak-new to 5 years; 100% Barrel Fermented; 50% Malolactic; 100% sur-lie

Bottling: June 2014

Alcohol: 13.5%

Reviews

92 points Wine Enthusiast Magazine - December 2015

This offers good quality for the price from this historic producer, which heads south to this dry-farmed vineyard planted in the 1976. The wine shows lots of lemon scents, from blossoms to peels, along with browned butter, sea salt and smoke. The palate offers singed lime peels, red grapefruit skin, iodine and sour yellow apple peels, proving quite complex.—M.K.

89 points Antonio Galloni presents Vinous  - July 2015

The 2013 Chardonnay Wolff Vineyard is quite powerful in this vintage. Succulent apricot pit, peach, almonds and chamomile laced together in a deep, resonant Chardonnay endowed with a real sense of phenolic weight. It will be interesting to see if a slightly reductive note dissipates over time. Even if it does, I expect the 2013 will remain an intense wine marked by the drought conditions and resulting small berries. Drink 2015-2020

89 points Robert Parker Jr's The Wine Advocate - October 2015

Issue #221

Coming from the Edna Valley, the 2013 Chardonnay Wolff Vineyard has lots of matchstick-like minerality, apple blossom and white flower notes in its medium-bodied, supple, juicy and easy drinking style. This is another high class Chardonnay that sells for a song.—Jeb Dunnuck

88 points Wine Spectator - Web Only 2015

Shows touches of smoky, toasty oak amid a sleek core of citrus- and green apple—infused flavors, with zesty acidity keeping the elements vibrant. Drink now.—JL