Effortless Perfection
The 2023 Chardonnay is outstanding. The nose reflects citrus with the essence of blossoming fruit trees. You get a calming, relaxing feeling of what a smooth, delicious and crisp white wine can offer after a busy, hot day
From the same block from the Eastside Road valley floor, the 2023 Chardonnay Buena Tierra Vineyard is a project with Thomas Rivers Brown and the team and pours a bright golden yellow hue. The nose is ripe but also has appealing minty lift, with aromas of savory pineapple, toast, and golden peaches. Full-bodied, it has a silky texture as well as refreshing acidity, appealing baking spice, saltiness, and a lot of clarity. I love the texture and the length, and it has refreshing, approachable ripeness without feeling alcoholic. Drink over the coming 12 or more years. Drink 2026-2040. - 97 points, Audrey Frick (Jeb Dunnuck)
The 2023 Buena Tierra Vineyard Chardonnay comes from the original/historic 1972 2.5 acre block, Old Wente clone on St. Georges rootstock. It prances out with flamboyant notes of ripe apricots, Golden Delicious apples, and allspice, with undertones of cedar, honeycomb, and cashews. The medium- to full-bodied palate is laden with spicy orchard fruit flavors, framed by a satiny texture and refreshing lift, finishing with great length.- 95 points, The Wine Palate, LPB
The Buena Tierra Chardonnay has proven to be among the best in the country. The 2005 vintage received a 97 from the Wine Spectator, tied for the highest score given a California Chardonnay in a decade. This Chardonnay comes from a block of 50+year-old vines that produce exquisite wine year after year. This chardonnay will blow you away. The first vintage was 2003.
We discovered the Buena Tierra vineyard in the Russian River Valley, by meeting a vintner, Eugena Keegan, who bought chardonnay grapes from the Sonoma coast. She asked if we'd like to barrel taste the wine. The wine was stunning. She was moving to Oregon, so we approached the owner of Buena Tierra Vineyards on the Russian River in Sonoma County about buying the grapes. The owners were reluctant because the vines were at the time 35 years old and production was down. We offered to pay full production price for whatever grapes were harvested, an agreement that continues to this day.
