La Carrière, French for ‘the quarry,’ aptly describes this vineyard’s bowl shape and its tremendously rocky soils. Situated between 1,200 and 1,700 feet above sea level on steep mountain slopes exceeding forty percent in grade, the vineyard has ideal southern and southeastern exposures. The vineyard’s shallow rocky soils provide excellent drainage, low fertility and usually the lowest yields on the estate. La Carrière, with its concentrated ‘liquid minerality,’ effectively reflects its mountainous origin.
The signature of this vineyard remains its terroir-driven minerality. The nose is dominated by aromas of toasted almond, brioche, dry honey, white flowers, hazelnut and William pear. Accents of acacia, orange blossom and vanilla complete the elegant bouquet. White peach and citrus oil highlight the minerality. Magnificent concentration and elegance on the palate sculpt the structure of this wine, offering richness and intensity. While approachable now, the 2018 La Carrière will handsomely reward two years of cellaring and will continue to develop for a decade or more.
98 pts wine advocate: "A tank sample, the 2018 Chardonnay la Carriere comes from a block planted to Dijon and Hyde (Old Wente) clone selections. It sashays out of the glass with flamboyant notions of fresh ginger, lemongrass, allspice and orange blossoms over a core of peach preserves, pink grapefruit and apple pie with wafts of baking bread and marzipan. Medium to full-bodied, the texture is simply stunning—so satiny with fantastic tension to counter and layer upon layer of spices and savory flavors, finishing very long and very perfumed. 2,907 cases are due to be made." RP
