2021 Ridge Estate Chardonnay

 

This remains, for me, an exemplary Chardonnay from CA exhibiting balance and finesse while being ripe. 

Aromas of D'Anjou pear, golden apple, golden plum with hints of white peach and sweet tangerine. Accents of vanilla and some toasted almond. 

It has perceived richness from the sur lie aging and succulence of the fruit flavors. That is balanced by bright acidity that provides lift and juicyness. There are hints of toast, vanilla and roasted hazelnut from the Oak. Definitely a riper vintage of this wine, but as I expect from Ridge, always in balance with 13.7 abv.  

2011 Bergstrom Winery Block Pinot Noir

 Full disclosure, this is a post Covid/Paxlovid wine. That said, I didn't have any loss of taste or smell aside from slight inhibition due to congestion. 

The aromas are, no other way to put it, an entire farmer's market. Bouquets of fresh cut flowers intermingled with fresh produce. It's only a touch vegetal or "green" but more so containing fresh fruits and tomatoes with some fresh herbs. Savory edge. 

Trying to nail down more specifics, I get aromas of black plum, rhubarb, underripe blackberry with some black currant leaf. 

It also has a very savory flavor profile. A tomato skin/leaf zestiness with rhubarb and underlying black fruits that lean just pre-ripe. Some tartness like that of pomegranate or cranberry. It has a strong edge of herbs de Provence. 

It's a savory, earthy wine that is best suited with food. The salt in a nice cut of meat should reignite some of the more fruity flavors. Beyond that, it's a nicely constructed wine with good balance of acid, alcohol and tannin.