Domaine Anderson Estate Chardonnay
Anderson Valley, California, United States
Vintage:2020 (Current)
2017 (Past) | 2018 (Past) | 2019 (Past) | 2021 (Current)
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Reviews
Wine Spectator 92 Points
Offers firm, appealing acidity at the core, with notes of apple blossoms, nectarine, lemon and pineapple, plus a hint of mango. Details of white tea, almond skin and Asian pear linger on the finish, as does a hint of lemon verbena. Drink now.
Wine Enthusiast 90 Points
Light, delicate and steely, this Chard is driven by its fresh fruit and high acid. Fun and refreshing, it's the perfect pairing to your favorite seafood dish. Find notes of lemon, lime, cut grass, lawn daisy, Granny Smith apple, Bartlett pear, chamomile blossom and a sea-salty breeze.
JamesSuckling.com 93 Points
Aromas of golden apples, yellow pears, honeysuckle, cheese rind, almonds and salted caramel. Seashells, too. Medium-bodied with vivid acidity. Good vibrancy with a delightful tangy finish. Drink or hold.
Wine & Spirits 94 Points, Top 100 Winery of 2023
Darrin Low blends this organically farmed fruit from two estate vineyards—Walraven in the hills above Boonville (61 percent) and Dach, surrounding the winery in Philo (39 percent). The wine ferments without added yeasts in barrels (10 percent new), then ages in them for 10 months, where the flavors concentrate into an earthy, airy, long and graceful chardonnay at 12.5 percent alcohol. The fruit has a range of citrus notes, from orange zest to lime pith and light, dusty tannins carrying notes of lemon meringue, giving a sweet and savory end. Pour it with roasted wild mushrooms, like chicken of the woods.
Vinous Media 90 Points
The 2020 Chardonnay Estate is a very pretty, airy wine. Hints of lemon peel, white flowers, tangerine oil and spice are some of the notes that grace this soft, weightless Chardonnay. All the elements are very nicely balanced.
Decanter 91 Points
A textural Chardonnay with crystalline purity and plenty of tension to balance out the rich fruit flavours. Wet river stones, a saline brightness, white flowers and springtime herbs are interlaced with apricot, white peach, and lemon oil on this medium-bodied, expressive Chardonnay. Organically farmed grapes are hand-picked at night from three estate-grown and organic vineyards in Anderson Valley, near the towns of Boonville, Philo and Navarro along the Navarro River. Whole-cluster pressed, the grapes were allowed to fully oxidise before racking to barrel off the gross lees. Entirely barrel-fermented and aged 10 months in oak, of which just four percent is new.
Overview
Domaine Anderson is nestled in the breathtaking, fog-cooled hillside and mountain terrain of Northern California’s Anderson Valley. The cooling marine layer that is characteristic of this region provides ideal conditions for the cultivation of chardonnay and pinot noir grapes.
The wines are crafted with precision and care to express the uniqueness of the Anderson Valley terroir. Domaine Anderson’s 13.7 acres of Chardonnay vineyards span from the warmer, up-valley Boonville area to the cooler regions closer to the Mendocino coast. They reside on the valley floor, gently sloped knolls, steep hillsides, and offer soils ranging from rocky, river gravels to the finest clay loams. Domaine Anderson's Chardonnay is made from grapes sourced exclusively from its own Anderson Valley vineyards, giving the winery complete control over farming practices and stewardship of the land.
Winemaking
Hand-picked at night from our three estate-grown and organic vineyards in Anderson Valley. The estate blend embodies the meso-climates from the small towns along the Navarro River: Boonville, Philo and Navarro in the "Deep End". Grapes were pressed whole cluster and allowed to fully oxidize before racking to barrel in order to ensure a clean settling off gross lees. A long and cool primary fermentation is completed in small oak barrels, continuing with indigenous malolactic fermentation through the cold winter months. The wine is aged for 10 months in barrel with a light touch of new oak before bottling at the end summer.
Estate vineyard sources: 46% Walraven Vineyard (certified CCOF Organic), 42% Dach (certified CCOF Organic and Demeter Biodynamic), and 12% Navarro-Fairhills Vineyard (certified CCOF Organic).
Tasting Notes
Aromas of stone fruits, pear and hints of vanilla oak from barrel ageing. The palate is crisp and focused with citrus flavors and baked apples. The wine has depth, energy and balance completed with a long and refreshing finish.
Food Pairing
Pairs beautifully with grilled cod, whole lobster with butter, roasted lemon chicken, pasta with béchamel sauce, asparagus risotto, and various goat cheeses.
Technical Information
Varietals: 100% Chardonnay
Wine Alcohol: 12.5%
Titratable Acidity: 6.2 g/L
pH: 3.40
Bottling Date: July 22, 2021
Fermentation: 100% barrel-fermented
New Oak: 4% new oak barrels
Aging: 10 months in barrel