2019 Merry Edwards Chardonnay Olivet Lane Vineyard | Russian River Valley, Sonoma County California 750ml

...Planted in 1975 to a Wente selection of Chardonnya, this vineyard is a benchmark for our region. The old vines self-regulate the crop they can support, creating dense wines of immense character. This wine always ferments at a leisurely pace. It spends a full nine months again in French oak with lees-stirring done twice weekly. This progression builds upon the underlying fruit concentration, producing wines of stunning complexity.
The multidimensional aroma of this wine exhibits vanilla creme brulee, fresh cardamom, crisp pink lady apple, yellow raspberry, tarte tatin and Peach Melba. Accents of Meyer lemon, olive, toasted hazelnuts and spicy oak create a composition of opposites. The palate is full, round and creamy while at the same time, crisp and focused. It's soft and plush, yet well balanced with the good acidity natural to Chardonnay grown in our own Russian River Valley. The opulent finish lingers on without diminishing, promising much for the future. | Merry Edwards

This is a lovely, whole-cluster pressed wine aged sur lie for nine months and aged in French oak, only 38% of it new. From the longtime vineyard source, it offers balanced acidity and a stone-fruit-led richness that delves into freshly cut pear and just a hint of nut and spice. | 93 points, Virginia Boone for Wine Enthusiast