2021 J. Lohr Estates Riverstone Chardonnay
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Tasting Panel, March 2023
The 2021 Riverstone displays enticing aromas of ripe orange, white peach, nectarine, cocoa, and baking spices. The rich texture and balance on the palate from barrel aging sur lie offers flavors of ripe Meyer lemon, citrus cream, hazelnut, and a hint of oak on the long finish.
— Kristen Barnhisel, winemaker, white wine
Wine Details
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Composition Blend
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100%
Chardonnay
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Origin
Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, CA
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Cellaring
Crafted to be enjoyed now to five years from vintage.
5 Years -
Food Pairings
This versatile wine pairs with a wide variety of foods, including fresh seafood risotto, mussels in white wine sauce, roast chicken with apples, and holiday ham and turkey.
For thirty vintages, a classic Monterey Chardonnay wine from the cool-climate Arroyo Seco appellation. This wine has earned the “Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing” seal from the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance.
Vineyards
The vines for our J. Lohr Estates Riverstone Chardonnay are on primarily Elder loam soils underlain by “riverstones” deposited over thousands of years by the Arroyo Seco River. The unique combination of sandy loam and cobblestone-laden soils keep the vines’ canopy growth and fruit in balance while the cooling winds off nearby Monterey Bay extend the growing season. The result is Chardonnay with intense varietal character complemented by bright, food-pairing acidity.
Vintage
The 2021 growing season was characterized by a very cool spring in the Arroyo Seco. The cool temperatures and characteristic afternoon winds encouraged slow ripening and provided extra time on the vine to optimize flavors and textures. The 2021 harvest began on September 28th and finished on November 5th. Riverstone now includes ten different Chardonnay clones - 4, 5, 17, 76, 95, 96, 548, 809, Hyde-Wente, and Mt Eden - each adding to the layered complexity of the final blend.
