95 Points - new release Fantastic new Sonoma Coast Chardonnay release from the legendary Joseph Phelps. 95 Points Wine Enthusiast *Editor's Choice*: "This 100% varietal wine from the cooler outpost of Freestone is so deliciously crisp, bright in minerally lemon and fresh pear. It lingers on the palate in complex ways, elusive one moment, then exuberant the next - a celebration of ideal vintage and place." 91 Points Robert Parker: "The 2014 Chardonnay Freestone Vineyard is 100% Chardonnay aged 13 months in one-third new French oak puncheons and barrels. They make a considerable amount of this wine, which exhibits orange marmalade, honeysuckle, a floral underpinning and some gravelly minerality. It is fresh, crisp, medium to full-bodied, and comes from a blend of different clonal material. Drink it over the next 4-5 years... ...Joseph Phelps has a whopping 102 acres on the Sonoma Coast called the Freestone Vineyard, 82 acres of which is planted in Pinot Noir and the balance Chardonnay. The interesting thing about this site is the bud break can occur as early as February, and the hang time often exceeds the European model of “100 days,” often lasting as long as 120 to140+ days. All of the wines that follow, even in a great vintage such as 2012, rarely exceed 14.2% alcohol, with most coming in under 14%. Their flavor intensity and richness make them fascinating, and I suspect this relatively new operation will get better and better as the vines age, and the Phelps team in Napa continues to fine tune the vineyards and the winemaking."
David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
On the nose, Meyer lemon, green apple, white peach, citrus, buttered popcorn, soft mineral and spring flowers. The mouthfeel is oily & creamy. Meyer lemons, lime, Granny Smith green apples, pineapple, ripe white peach & light butter. The acidity & alcohol is a bite high for me. Alcohol leaves a bit of sting on the palate and back of the throat. Soft minerals. Finishes round, rich, with good texture and finish. Photos of the view from their terrace, their old large oak fermentation vats and grounds around the estate.
On the nose, Meyer lemon, green apple, white peach, citrus, buttered popcorn, soft mineral and spring flowers. The mouthfeel is oily & creamy. Meyer lemons, lime, Granny Smith green apples, pineapple, ripe white peach & light butter. The acidity & alcohol is a bite high for me. Alcohol leaves a bit of sting on the palate and back of the throat. Soft minerals. Finishes round, rich, with good texture and finish. Photos of the view from their terrace, their old large oak fermentation vats and grounds around the estate.
9.0Evan Shumway
Very tart
Very tart
8.1Luis Arguero (@winefromAtoZ)
Joseph Phelps Freestone Vineyards Chardonnay 2014: Bright. Beautiful. Citrus, apricot & green apple flavors. Always a personal favorite! Cheers
Joseph Phelps Freestone Vineyards Chardonnay 2014: Bright. Beautiful. Citrus, apricot & green apple flavors. Always a personal favorite! Cheers
9.1Luis Arguero (@winefromAtoZ)
Beautiful structure. Bright acidity. Sophisticated flavors of citrus fruits, apricot & green apple. Always a lovely choice! Cheers
Beautiful structure. Bright acidity. Sophisticated flavors of citrus fruits, apricot & green apple. Always a lovely choice! Cheers
9.0Jen
A bit lemony for me but not bad. Hint of buttered popcorn.
A bit lemony for me but not bad. Hint of buttered popcorn.
8.9Dmitri Bourkovski
Nice chard from Freestone (JP nowadays)
Nice chard from Freestone (JP nowadays)
9.1twunks
Really nice sour apple with a mild butter body and finish. Crisp.
Really nice sour apple with a mild butter body and finish. Crisp.
8.9Marianne DiGiovanni
Crisp and citrus with a touch of butter at the tail
Crisp and citrus with a touch of butter at the tail
9.1WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.