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96 points - Jeb Dunnuck

"The 2020 Chardonnay Edward James Estate shows off this site with richness and purity. The nose is perfumed with warming spice, honeysuckle, and ripe apricot. It offers an incredible arch of fruit through the mid-palate that tapers slowly, with orange oil, pastry cream, and Asian pear. Drink over the next 10 years."
- Audrey Frick

2020

Chardonnay, Edward James Estate

This small five-acre estate named after Paul's great-grandfather, Edward James, rewards us with a chardonnay that is pale straw in color with inviting aromas of lemon zest, red apple skin, gardenia, and honeysuckle. A creamy mouthfeel on the palate evolves into poached pear, ginger spice, and brioche that come together with a crunchy acidity and lively finish.

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Growing Season

A dry winter started the season with less than half the regions average rainfall leading to a mild spring and early season bud break. Summer began with relatively moderate temperatures resulting in exceptional phenolic development, allowing fruit to ripen and mature slowly on the vine. Consecutive heat spells coupled with a rare mid-August lightning storm accelerated the start of harvest two weeks earlier than average. All fruit was hand-harvested within seven weeks, and although challenging on many fronts, our highly skilled team persevered at every stage and excelled in their meticulous picking, sorting, and barrel selections. While some wines will not be produced as they did not meet our standards for quality, those that were are in very small quantities, ensuring the limited remaining bottlings showcase their full character with great energy, depth of flavor, and focus.

Bottle Date

August 2021

Appellation

Russian River Valley

Harvested

September 9

Varietal Compositon

100% Chardonnay

Alcohol

14.3%

Cooperage

Aged 9 months in French oak barrels; 33% new

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