Expert Reviews - Prior Vintages 2022, 2020
(Vintage 2022). Decanter 96 Points | Woolsey Road benefits from two pillars of the Chardonnay world: it originates from the Hyde family’s cuttings of Old Wente and is farmed by the third and fourth generations of the Martinelli family. This Chardonnay showcases a remarkable flavour intensity, with rich citrus fruit—lemon, lime, and grapefruit zest—woven with oyster shell minerality.
(Vintage 2022). The Wine Spectator 94 Points | Fragrant, focused and precise, offering flavors of lemongrass and lemon blossoms, with Meyer lemon and green papaya accents, plus a touch of tangerine. Shows green tea, lemon balm and white pepper notes on a mouthwatering frame, with a hint of salinity that lingers. Drink now.
(Vintage 2022). Vinous 94 Points | The 2022 Chardonnay Woolsey Road Vineyard is another dense, ample wine in this range. The Woolsey Road has a good deal of phenolic intensity. There's real breadth and resonance here. Lemon confit, white pepper and dried herbs are nicely amplified.
(Vintage 2022). James Suckling 93 Points | Richness and concentration are the hallmarks of this full-bodied, mouth-filling wine. Deep in Bosc pears, baked apples and baking spices, it offers a creamy texture balanced by moderate acidity. Drink now or hold.
(Vintage 2020). Audrey Frick writes: From the old Wente clone, the 2020 Chardonnay Woolsey Road Vineyard has a soft floral perfume of chamomile and takes on ripe aromas of yellow pear, golden fruits, and cantaloupe. Full-bodied, it has wonderful intensity on the palate, with notes of ripe apricot and fresh flowers as well as a great chalky texture and a savory finish. It’s a great wine in the lineup to drink over the next 10 or more years. - Jeb Dunnuck 96
(Vintage 2020). Erin Brooks writes: The 2020 Chardonnay Woolsey Road Vineyard was harvested on August 17th before the wildfire smoke arrived, and with its pure, mineral-driven expression, it's worth cellaring for several years. The nose opens with iodine and nori tones that give way to pretty scents of panna cotta, spring honey and lilac. The medium-bodied palate is buzzing with shimmery acidity that enlivens its perfumed fruit, and it has a long, saline-driven finish. - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 96
