Ferren'Lancel Creek Vineyard' Chardonnay 2017

“The 2017 Chardonnay Lancel Creek is powerful and resonant, yet also retains striking translucence. Lemon confit, honeysuckle, wildflowers and lightly honeyed notes all grace this exquisite Chardonnay. Even with all its obvious texture, the Lancel Creek is translucent and light on its feet. The 2017 is rich but not overdone in any way.” This 2017 Chardonnay is Matt Courtney's fifth vintage of Ferren and comes from Silver Eagle Vineyard, a secluded, two-acre site was prepared, planted, and is still tended by Ulises Valdez. The pale, off-white Goldridge soil provides just enough nutrients and moisture for these densely planted vines to ripen a small amount of intensely aromatic and flavorful Chardonnay. The vineyard faces the Pacific Ocean, a mere five miles to the west so the combined influence of the cold Pacific and the warming afternoon sun produces a wine of incredible richness and sublime balance. Matt Courtney is a perfectionist when it comes to making Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. 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. Each single vineyard wine he produces has a production of approximately 60-150 cases.