2021 Lone Oak Vineyard Chardonnay
Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Tasting Notes
“Pale straw hue. Concentrated scents of granny smith apple, kiwi, peach, apricot, grapefruit, and coconut start off this Chardonnay. Upon taste, these qualities segue nicely to the palate and are aligned with silky texture and modest acidity. The wine finishes smooth and decadent. Enjoy now through 2030.”
~Bill Brosseau, Director of Winemaking
September 2023
“The 2021 Lone Oak Vineyard Chardonnay zips out of the glass with notes of white peaches, grapefruit, and fresh ginger plus hints of Marcona almonds and baking bread. The medium-bodied palate delivers a racy backbone and great intensity with a satiny texture, finishing long with a citrusy lift. “This is the oldest Chardonnay vineyard for us, about 43-44 years old. We take the oldest Wente Clone vines.” Lisa Perrotti-Brown, February 2024
“Toasted coconut, creamy white peach and light plumeria aromas make for an appealing nose on this bottling. The creamy texture of the palate is cut through with acidity and remains tactile, presenting flavors of stone fruit and delicate butter.” Matt Kettmann, Wine Enthusiast December 2023
Production Data
Growers: Hahn Family
Winemaker: Bill Brosseau
Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Elevation/Exposure: 250 – 400 feet; East
Soil: Rocky, alluvial Chualar loam soils
Vineyard Age: 47 years
Viticulture Practice: Sustainable (SIP Certified)
Vinification: Pressed whole-cluster, fermented in French Oak
Cooperage & Ageing: 18 months in 100% French oak, 47% new
Production: 15 barrels
Composition: 100% Chardonnay (100% Wente Clone)
Acidity:3.31 pH, 7.48 TA (g/L)
Alcohol: 14.2%
Harvest: October 18, 2021, hand harvested
Club Release: November 2023
Release Price: $55
Drink Now through 2030
Past Vintage Wine Scores
“The Lone Oak Chardonnay is mineral driven and dense. Firmly structured, there’s superb integration of fruit and oak. Sourced from 46-year-old, all Wente clone vines grown on alluvial loam at 250-400′ with an east orientation; matured 21 months in 34% new French oak. pH 3.16, 14.2% alc. More minerals on this one. Less overt fruit and oak. Nice firm backbone. Dense on palate, thick extract, good depth. Very rich long finish. Superb integration. Nothing sticks out superb integration. Outstanding. 94. Acidity more apparent. Some tartness on finish. Little hazel nut character. Lots of oak but not apparent….great winemaking.”
Don Winkler
International Wine Review
February 2023
“A pinch of citrus zest livens up the cherimoya, young coconut and toasty oak aromas on the complex nose of this bottling. There’s a pleasantly granular texture to the palate, where lemony acidity and oaky spice lead into a coconut cream and vanilla finish.”
Matt Kettmann
Wine Enthusiast
April 2023
“Smooth, lush and spice, with rich flavors and elegant notes of toasty oak, long and deep.”
Anthony Dias Blue
August 2021
“Brilliant yellow-gold. Offers up ripe orchard and pit fruit scents, along with suggestions of tarragon, honey and vanilla. Well concentrated and yet lively as well, offering juicy nectarine, pear nectar and Meyer lemon flavors and hints of chamomile and buttered toast. Closes with strong tenacity, leaving succulent herb and floral notes behind.”
Josh Raynolds
Vinous
May 2022
“Broad aromas of white peach, melon rind, fluffy gardenia and a hint of toast show on the nose of this single vineyard expression. The palate is packed with dried lemon, chamomile and dried apple slices, with a pinch of savory sea salt adding depth.”
Matt Kettmann
Wine Enthusiast
December 2021
“Shimmering yellow-gold. Oak-spiced orchard and pit fruit aromas are complemented by suggestions of honey and buttered toast. Broad and fleshy on the palate, offering juicy pear, white peach and Meyer lemon flavors that turn firmer and take on a spicy aspect on the back half. A floral note appears on a long, supple finish that shows no rough edges. 47% new French oak.”
Josh Raynolds
Antonio Galloni’s Vinous
October 2020
“Bright yellow. A highly complex bouquet evokes ripe pear, nectarine, melon and honey, and suave vanilla and floral notes emerge as the wine opens up. Picks up energizing mineral and spice notes with air, complementing the juicy, densely packed orchard and pit fruit flavors. Shows a deft blend of richness and energy and finishes with strong, mineral-driven persistence and resonating florality.”
Josh Raynolds
Antonio Galloni Vinous
November 2019
“Cohesive aromas of white peach, yellow-nectarine flesh, hazelnut and lemon rind make for a very complex nose on this bottling. The palate is grippy in texture yet full, with flavors of peach, mango and roasted apricot, served atop buttercream and topped with lemon zest. ”
Matt Kettmann
Wine Enthusiast
November 2019
“Bright yellow. A complex, expansive bouquet evokes fresh tangerine, pear and melon, along with suggestions of iodine, toasty lees and vanilla. Palate-staining orchard and citrus fruit flavors are underscored by a vein of smoky minerality that adds back-end lift and cut. Shows impressive tension and focus on the very long, sappy finish, which leaves behind suggestions of Meyer lemon and bitter pear skin.”
Josh Raynolds
Antonio Galloni
November 2017
“Apple cream, squeezed tangerine and a touch of popcorn make for nice, easy and yet layered aromas on the nose of this bottling by the Los Gatos-based single-vineyard-focused winery. Flavors of Gravenstein apples, browned butter and toast pop on the palate, where an intriguing flinty character pushes this into another level. ”
MT
Wine Enthusiast
November 2016
“Warm vanilla notes are laid across ripe nectarine, apple skin and a twist of lemon rind on this single-vineyard study by the Los Gatos-based winery. Pencil lead kicks off the palate, which then opens into poached apples and lemon oil, laid across a sizzling acidity that lasts long.”
Wine Enthusiast
“From a vineyard located right next to Rosella’s Vineyard, the 2012 Chardonnay Lone Oak Vineyard shines for its purity, freshness and focus. Showing stone fruits, white flowers and hints of toast, it hits the palate with bright acidity, a solid mid-palate and a terrific finish. Fermented and aged ten months in 33% new French oak, it’s another classy, very well made Chardonnay from this estate”
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“An outstanding, rich, mouth-filling effort that stays classy and pure, the 2011 Chardonnay Lone Oak Vineyard exhibits notes of ripe golden fruits, crushed rock, dried grass and hints of toasted hazelnuts as well as juicy acidity and excellent length. It’s a beautifully done white to drink over the coming 2-3 years. Drink now-2016.”
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
August 2013
The Lone Oak Vineyard
Lone Oak Vineyards is owned by the Hahn Family and located near the center of the Santa Lucia Highlands Appellation. Lone Oak is located directly next door to Rosella’s Vineyard at about 250-400 feet in elevation and has an Eastern exposure.
Testarossa Winery began making Lone Oak Chardonnay in 2010 and currently receives 20 of the 78 acres of Chardonnay planted. The Wente and Clone 4 vines were planted back in 1974. Lone Oak vineyard is identifiable by the lone oak tree in the middle of the vineyard.