92+ 2012 Peay Estate Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast) 7/22/16 ($52)
13.4% alc
Color: Light gold. (3.0) Bouquet: Elegant mineral-infused pear fruit complemented by iodine and just a hint of cedar. Restrained. (3.0) Body: Solid middleweight plus with restrained fruit supported by excellent acidity and minerality. Dry, tangy mouthfeel. Well balanced and meant for aging. (3.5) Flavor: Parallels bouquet with tart green apple in the mix. (3.0) Finish: Parallels flavor with austere minerality lingering. (3.5)
Overall: All about minerality, being youthfully austere at this point, but also has subtle pear fruit and excellent acidity. The cedar in their Sonoma Coast bottling gives it a slight butteriness that is not found here. Drinks like a young Chablis with its dry austerity, acidity and slight deficiency of fruit, but should blossom with time. The long, minerally finish is its most distinctive characteristic right now. Should develop and improve over the next 3-6 years. If drinking now, decant, don't serve too cold and pair it with shellfish or salty shrimp. (16)
Copyright © 2006 - 2016, Paul DeRose , WineOutpost.com