Neyers Vineyards Bruce's Journal
Wine Spectator Selects 10 Glorious Global Chardonnays
By Bruce Neyers
Friday 3rd November, 2023
Our 2022 Chardonnay ‘304’ Is ‘Atop the List’
10 Glorious Global Chardonnays
The October 2 issue of the Wine Spectator online edition included the article ‘10 Glorious Global Chardonnays Up to 92 Points’. The 2022 Chardonnay ‘304’ from Neyers Vineyards led the way. Here’s what they had to say:
‘Atop the list is Neyers’ juicy, mouthwatering and fresh Chardonnay, dubbed ‘304’ as a nod to the vessels in which it was fermented. Partial malo-lactic fermentation was used here, as well as lees aging to add depth and texture.’
The piece was accompanied by a more detailed review:
‘Shows juicy yellow apple, Asian pear and lemon zest notes that are mouthwatering and fresh, gaining complexity from details of apple skin, fragrant white flowers and lingering fresh-grated ginger. Drink now. 7225 cases made. From California. 92 POINTS
-MaryAnn Worobiec
Most of the grapes for our 2022 Chardonnay ‘304’ came from Paul Larson’s vineyard in the southern-most part of Sonoma Carneros, with the balance from the Nichols Ranch south and west of the town of Sonoma. The latter, by the way, is farmed by our old friend Chuy Ordaz. It’s fermented in ‘304’ Grade Stainless Steel tanks, using native, wild yeast, then allowed to sit on the yeast lees for 60 days or so, while it completes about 50% of its malo-lactic fermentation. We bottled in mid-February. Tadeo did a masterful job of highlighting the delicious minerality and combining it with the fruit’s high natural acidity and low pH.
Paul Larson, looking every bit the grape farmer, here in the middle of his strikingly attractive Chardonnay vineyard, in the southern reaches of Sonoma-Carneros. The camera is looking northwest, and Paul is framed between the hills that separate the town of Sonoma from Petaluma.
The seemingly ageless Chuy Ordaz directs the vineyard activities at several high profile properties in Sonoma County, while farming his own vineyard, planted to some of the region’s most respected Pinot Noir.
