Ferren Wines
Frei Road Vineyard Chardonnay
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, USA
My first experience with Ferren, and wanted to check in ahead of the release next month. Knowing the vineyard source and the winemaker’s background, I had very high hopes.
When I first opened it, I was taken aback at how acidic it was. Spritz-like for the first 30mins, but the back of the palate had a good bit of richness, so I figured this just needed time to open. Bingo. At two hours in, this hit stride. It started off similar to Aubert’s Larry Hyde & Sons chard due to its acidic nature, but as it shed that, it became more reminiscent of Aubert’s Powder House and Kistler’s McCrea. It doesn’t have the same texture that Aubert does, but it has more richness and complexity than what I’ve found Kistler to have (consistently). Very Sonoma Coast. Lemon cream, tart citrus, dash of sea salt and lemon rind on the nose. Not quite waxy on the palate, but it gained heft and showed amazing weight when compared to its acidic lift/structure. Ripe Asian pear, powdered lemon bar, honeysuckle, and a vein of “minerality” down the mid palate. Only getting better!
My first experience with Ferren, and wanted to check in ahead of the release next month. Knowing the vineyard source and the winemaker’s background, I had very high hopes.
When I first opened it, I was taken aback at how acidic it was. Spritz-like for the first 30mins, but the back of the palate had a good bit of richness, so I figured this just needed time to open. Bingo. At two hours in, this hit stride. It started off similar to Aubert’s Larry Hyde & Sons chard due to its acidic nature, but as it shed that, it became more reminiscent of Aubert’s Powder House and Kistler’s McCrea. It doesn’t have the same texture that Aubert does, but it has more richness and complexity than what I’ve found Kistler to have (consistently). Very Sonoma Coast. Lemon cream, tart citrus, dash of sea salt and lemon rind on the nose. Not quite waxy on the palate, but it gained heft and showed amazing weight when compared to its acidic lift/structure. Ripe Asian pear, powdered lemon bar, honeysuckle, and a vein of “minerality” down the mid palate. Only getting better!
Arrived yesterday so it should be in perfect condition to drink, the recommended 30 minutes of storage before opening should be fine or was it 30 days🤔, either way great Chardonnay. Had another Far coast last week which was a jeb 100, I like this better.
Arrived yesterday so it should be in perfect condition to drink, the recommended 30 minutes of storage before opening should be fine or was it 30 days🤔, either way great Chardonnay. Had another Far coast last week which was a jeb 100, I like this better.
Nov 9th, 2018
