2015 Giesen Chardonnay The Fuder Clayvin Vineyard
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Tasting notes
A very rich and intensely complex chardonnay with pastry and toasted grain, as well as lemon peel, grapefruit and flinty, stony notes. Impressive complexity here. The palate has a succulent, fleshy and powerful feel with rich texture. Meursault-like. Impressive. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
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Average Score
Tim Jackson MW, jancisrobinson.com
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
Toasty notes of roasted cashews accent grilled peaches and pineapple on the nose of Giesen's 2015 The Fuder Clayvin Chardonnay. Fully barrel-fermented and inoculated using a pied de cuve started in the vineyard, it's medium-bodied but richly textured, with terrific citrusy length on the finish. It should drink well for at least another 3-4 years.
Brancott Valley subregion. North part of Clayvin vineyard, with 20-year-old Mendoza and 95 clones. Six-hour racking after pressing, to German oak foudres for fermentation, using a pied de cuve prepared in the vineyard. Pale-mid lemon-gold. Celery and fennel herb, then broad, subtle nuttiness, spice and earth. Broad and complex. Crisp and appley palate, that is both rich and powerful, and brisk – in a manner not dissimilar to Montrachet. Dense and long. (TJ)