2018 Chardonnay Beresini
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Tasting notes
Vines aged 30+ (Larry Hyde), an early Wente clone. 65% new oak. Pale gold. Rich aroma, gently toasty. The fruit is ripe, verging on tropical but not fat and with lovely freshness even though there is a very slight butteriness. The ripeness clearly indicates its origin – in a good way – and, as Tor Kenward suggests, does not indicate that this wine cannot age. (He is currently enjoying the 2013.) This is both rich and savoury, creamy not overly oaky. Rich, deep, spicy and long yet with a fresh core of citrus to give it staying power. (JH)
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Also from Carneros, there are a scant ten barrels of the 2018 Chardonnay Beresini Vineyard Cuvee Torchiana. Giving up plenty of ripe peach, Meyer lemon, toasted bread, and baking spice notes, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, nicely integrated acidity, and outstanding length on the finish. As with all of these Chardonnays from Tor, it opens up nicely with time in the glass and is impeccably put together. Enjoy bottles over the coming 7-8 years.
The 2018 Chardonnay Beresini Vineyard Cuvée Torchiana is laced with hints of orchard fruit, apricot, tangerine oil, white flowers, pineapple and mint. In the glass, the Beresini is airy and weightless, but it has plenty of depth as well as character. In this range, the Beresini is distinguished by its ethereal feel and sweet, perfumed aromatics. Time in the glass really helps the wine emerge, though, I would give it a bit of air. This dry-farmed Carneros site planted with the original Hyde clone yields Chardonnays that are so distinctive.
A full-bodied, rich and creamy white with aromas and flavors of dried pineapple, lemon curd and salted butter. Crushed stones and toast, too. Concentrated and textured with a long finish. Oily. Round textured. More ready than the normal Hyde. Drink or hold.