Hertelendy 'Ritchie Vineyard' Chardonnay

The Hertelendy family has ancient winemaking roots in Hungary, where they produced highly interesting white wines before the Communists took their vineyards. What wasn't taken from them was the drive to produce exceptional terroir-driven styles, a drive which they've brought to California. They source the grapes for this wine from the legendary Ritchie Vineyard, which is widely considered to be one of the best Chardonnay sites in the country.

“A matchstick tone rules the nose of this tremendously powerful white, which evolves to show toasted oak and salty notes. The robust palate unravels in layers of Gravenstein apple, fig and crushed rock, with plenty of length on the nutmeg-laden finish.” – 95 Points, Wine Enthusiast

”The 2015 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard was barrel fermented with 100% malolactic fermentation and lees stirring, and it was aged 19 months in 100% new French oak. It opens with notions of baked apples, crushed stone, slivered almonds, dried mushrooms and hay with touches of honeysuckle, beeswax and sweet corn. The palate is medium to full-bodied, silky and savory with great freshness and a long, sweet-spice finish. More of an old school style with the apparent malolactic character. 241 cases produced.” – 91 Points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate