Ferren Silver Eagle Vineyard Chardonnay 2014Sonoma Coast

This might be one of the most exciting Chardonnay projects coming out of California today. Proprietor and winemaker Matt Courtney recently visited the tasting room so we could taste his 2013 Chardonnay and taste all of his upcoming 2014 releases of both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In total we tasted 6 of his wines. Each single vineyard wine he produces has a production of approximately 60-125 cases. He is a perfectionist when it comes to these two varieties and after eight years most recently making wine at Marcassin, Matt now concentrates his efforts on Ferren and Arista, another great Pinot and Chard house on Westside Road in Russian River Valley. This 2013 Chardonnay marks his inaugural vintage of Ferren and comes from Silver Eagle Vineyard, where Occidental moves into Russian River Valley. It is the second ridgeline in from the Pacific Coast. Mark Aubert and Matt split this vineyard in 2013 with Matt getting Old Wente clone Chardonnay. Aromas of citrus oil and hazelnut lead onto the palate with a silky texture. There is a sea salt freshness with citrus notes making it the perfect marriage of both RRV and Sonoma Coast characteristics.