2022 Zephyr Farms Chardonnay
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Tasting notes
The 2022 Chardonnay Zephyr Vineyard is a rare new addition to the Ferren portfolio. It comes from Mt Eden and Old Wente selection vines that are around 20 years old, located between the towns of Freestone and Sebastopol. On the nose, a well of apple and peach is accented by nuances of elderflower, vanilla, meringue and roasted almonds. The light-bodied palate is bright and flinty with latent fruit at this early stage. It combines a soft, ethereal texture with vibrant acidity, and it has a long, dynamic finish. Give it 2-3 years in the cellar.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
A bright and flavorful wine with layers of texture that unfold on the palate. On the nose, ginger, shiso, bay laurel, sea breeze and delicate spices. Racy acidity and a long finish. This is a well-crafted and distinctive wine that truly speaks of the coastal vineyard. Full bodied. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.
Coming from a cooler and later ripening site, the 2022 Chardonnay Zephyr Farm Vineyard has such a sense of place with its coastal and vibrant feel. It has a savory touch that I love, with a fantastic freshness, and the palate is bright and focused, with a great, compact feel. And while it has the electricity I come to expect from this site, there’s just a touch more rounded opulence to even things out, so it isn’t austere, finishing with notes of delicate oak spice. Founded by winemaker Matt Courtney and his longtime friend David Wherritt, Ferren focuses on single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the far Sonoma Coast. They had initially set out to be a Pinot Noir house, but they now produce an equal amount of Chardonnay, and the wines don’t disappoint. The whites are textural, balanced, and highly expressive across the board.