Chanin Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Chardonnay 2021

VinousThe 2021 Chardonnay Sanford & Benedict Vineyard is bright, airy and e!usive. This emerges from the own-rooted section of this site. Crushed flowers, lemon peel, mint, lemon confit and chamomile are some of the notes that grace this subtle, wonderfully nuanced Chardonnay. This is all subtlety and class.

Gavin Chanin describes 2021 as a mostly cool, sunny year, with cool weather also during flowering that resulted in smaller berries with thicker skins. The wines are gorgeous. The Chardonnays are pressed to barrel, with no settling, where they stay for 13-14 months before being racked for the first time and moved back into wood. Pinot Noirs typically see 35-50% whole clusters, but stems are rarely a pronounced signature. The Chanin wines stand out for their understated finesse and elegance. In 2021, the Chardonnays are especially fine.

Jeb DunnuckThe 2021 Chardonnay Sanford & Benedict Vineyard is another slightly softer wine from Chanin that has so much to love. Ripe orchard fruits, brioche, toasted spices, and honeyed, floral nuances, define the nose, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a seamless, layered mouthfeel, and outstanding length. I’d be thrilled to drink a bottle any time over the coming 7-8 years, if not longer.