| Producer | Ernest Vineyards |
| Country | United States |
| Region | Sonoma Coast |
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Sku | 12914 |
| Size | 750ml |
This particular Sonoma Auction barrel was named 'Char-Don-Clay' because Ernest winemaker Joseph Ryan fermented the wine in oak, then blended and aged it in clay vessels. The fruit comes from two organically farmed vineyards Ernest works with in the chilly Freestone area of the West Sonoma Coast. The wine opens with a lifted, crystalline nose of lemon oil, Meyer lemon, white peach, and subtle orchard blossom, underscored by crushed stone, wet clay, and a faint saline note that immediately clues you into its cool-climate, maritime origins. On the palate, it is taut and finely etched, with layers of citrus zest, green apple, and pear framed by pronounced minerality and a savory, almost flinty edge reminiscent of top-tier Meursault. The texture is quietly luxurious rather than overtly rich, shaped by gentle oak and clay vessel aging that lend depth without weight. Bright, mouthwatering acidity carries through a long, precise finish marked by chalk, citrus pith, and a whisper of coastal salinity, leaving an impression of restraint, elegance, and unmistakable sense of place.
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