Chardonnay, Kutch 2018

The 2018 Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast), from Bohan, is bright, punchy and full of character. Lemon confit, white flowers and light tropical notes are all so vibrant. The 2018 captures the natural energy of the year in spades. Time in the glass brings out a real sense of phenolic richness and structure. This is compelling juice.

Jamie Kutch’s Sonoma Coast bottling of chardonnay all hails from the Bohan Vineyard, with the vines having been planted in 1972. It is barrel-fermented with indigenous yeasts and raised in twenty percent new oak, with the 2018 version coming in at 13.4 percent octane. It offers up a lovely bouquet of pear, golden delicious apple, a hint of almond, complex soil tones, white lilies and a deft framing of vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is crisp, full-bodied and beautifully balanced, with a fine core of fruit, good soil signature, zesty acids and lovely length and grip on the vibrant finish. This will age very nicely and it would be a shame to drink too many bottles in the blush of youth, as there are more layers of complexity to unfold here! 2020-2035.