The Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2023 is a wine I found on sale for $15.99; it typically sells for $20 or more. The Sonoma-Cutrer winery is part of the Duckhorn family of wines.
The Story
The Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2023 is their “entry-level” Chardonnay. It is 100% Chardonnay sourced from 4 sustainably farmed estate vineyards along with a few contracted vineyards in the Sonoma Coast AVA of western Sonoma County in California. The other Sonoma-Cutrer wines are mostly single-vineyard wines from the Sonoma Coast and the Russian River AVA.
The grapes for this Chardonnay were hand-sorted, and the wine was made using whole clusters and free-run juice. Free-run juice is the first of juice released during the pressing process and often simply juice released from the weight of the grapes stacked into the press. Free run juice is seen to be superior to subsquent pressings.
The oak program consisted of 75% of the juice being fermented and aged in French oak barrels (14% new oak the rest used) for 8 months, while the remaining 25% was fermented and aged in stainless steel vats. All the juice underwent malolactic fermentation.
This label has been around since 2005 and was initially a restaurant offering that proved to be so popular that they released it to retail wine shops. It has been the top-selling Chardonnay at its price point.
The alcohol content is 13.9%.
The Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2023 Tasting Notes
The color is a golden sunshine yellow. The nose is soft and warm, apple, lemon, melted butter, peach, coconut milk, nectarine, and a light floral edge. The Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2023 is subtle, balanced, with excellent length.
This Chardonnay tastes like tart apple, lemon, pear, vanilla, guava, and a hint of lime. Followed by nectarine, grapefruit, a touch of cream, and a late hit of tart tropical fruit.
The acidity is well-controlled and allows the flavors to fully unfold.
The Summary
- The Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2023 is an excellent Chardonnay.
- It has a solid French oak fermentation and aging program, but keeps the oak influence balanced.
- A real bargain at the price I found it ($16), but a solid buy at full price.
