Ferren Wines
Lancel Creek Vineyard Chardonnay
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, USA
I’ve opened a few Ferren Frei Rd chards (normally in the 4-5yr range) and have enjoyed them, but this was my first Lancel Creek. With the release coming up in a few weeks, I wanted to check in and figure out the profile. I’m between a 93-94 here.
Made by Matt Courtney (formerly at Marcassin, also winemaker at Arista). Beautiful straw colored in the glass with maybe a tinge of green, the aromatics are honeysuckle, sweet lemon, and sea salted almonds. I found this to be very similar to the Frei Rd in regards to acidity. So nervy all the way through. Totally coastal, but with a soft touch of rich fruit. Also similar to the Frei Rd, this is lemon everything (fresh squeezed lemon, lemon cream, lemon scone) but the mineral profile is more enhanced here. There’s a stone/slate vibe toward the finish that keeps this light on its feet. Oak is soft and plays a contributing role, not a dominating one.
I enjoyed this at pop and pour, then revisited 2-3hrs later and found the acidity had calmed down a bit. Definitely give this a decant now if possible, or hold a few more years.
I’ve opened a few Ferren Frei Rd chards (normally in the 4-5yr range) and have enjoyed them, but this was my first Lancel Creek. With the release coming up in a few weeks, I wanted to check in and figure out the profile. I’m between a 93-94 here.
Made by Matt Courtney (formerly at Marcassin, also winemaker at Arista). Beautiful straw colored in the glass with maybe a tinge of green, the aromatics are honeysuckle, sweet lemon, and sea salted almonds. I found this to be very similar to the Frei Rd in regards to acidity. So nervy all the way through. Totally coastal, but with a soft touch of rich fruit. Also similar to the Frei Rd, this is lemon everything (fresh squeezed lemon, lemon cream, lemon scone) but the mineral profile is more enhanced here. There’s a stone/slate vibe toward the finish that keeps this light on its feet. Oak is soft and plays a contributing role, not a dominating one.
I enjoyed this at pop and pour, then revisited 2-3hrs later and found the acidity had calmed down a bit. Definitely give this a decant now if possible, or hold a few more years.
Not getting any better. Drinking lane is now.
Not getting any better. Drinking lane is now.
Dec 12th, 2019
Preferred it last year but still a rocking bottle of wine. What tremendous Chardonnay Matt Courtney and his team are making. Pure and precise yet still has weight. Remains elegant and beautifully framed by light oak. Oozes Chardonnay character.
Lovely
Preferred it last year but still a rocking bottle of wine. What tremendous Chardonnay Matt Courtney and his team are making. Pure and precise yet still has weight. Remains elegant and beautifully framed by light oak. Oozes Chardonnay character.
Lovely
14’Ferren Lancel Creek Vineyard Chardonnay. My least favorite of his 2014 Chardonnay’s . Not as interesting as the other two. Nice bottle.
14’Ferren Lancel Creek Vineyard Chardonnay. My least favorite of his 2014 Chardonnay’s . Not as interesting as the other two. Nice bottle.
Aug 30th, 2019
Wow. This wine is full throttle. Either needs air or a little time in the cellar. I didn’t do it justice on either! Bottle was finished in less than 30 min.
Wow. This wine is full throttle. Either needs air or a little time in the cellar. I didn’t do it justice on either! Bottle was finished in less than 30 min.
Jun 23rd, 2019
Ferren 2014 Lancel Creek Chardonnay. Winemaker Matt Courtney, former assistant to Helen Turley, The Goddess of Wine, at Marcassin. Back up the truck, and get all the Ferren you can afford. Petroleum and toasty oak along with peaches, pears and spice box on both the nose and palate. Also picking up some butterscotch and toasted marshmallow. Super lush and creamy texture. Decant the mofo out of this one. It will gain complexity and weight. Tremendous finish. One of the best Chardonnays I've tasted in quite some time. Right up there with Marcassin in my estimation. Nice job Matt!
Ferren 2014 Lancel Creek Chardonnay. Winemaker Matt Courtney, former assistant to Helen Turley, The Goddess of Wine, at Marcassin. Back up the truck, and get all the Ferren you can afford. Petroleum and toasty oak along with peaches, pears and spice box on both the nose and palate. Also picking up some butterscotch and toasted marshmallow. Super lush and creamy texture. Decant the mofo out of this one. It will gain complexity and weight. Tremendous finish. One of the best Chardonnays I've tasted in quite some time. Right up there with Marcassin in my estimation. Nice job Matt!
1 person found it helpfulAug 26th, 2017
Hell yea! Nice work Matt... this stuff is nuts. Burgundian in style. Packed with flavor and a finish that lingers forever. So well balanced and integrated already. Would love to follow this over a few years.... we have a tiny allocation for sale.... awesome!!!!
Hell yea! Nice work Matt... this stuff is nuts. Burgundian in style. Packed with flavor and a finish that lingers forever. So well balanced and integrated already. Would love to follow this over a few years.... we have a tiny allocation for sale.... awesome!!!!
1 person found it helpfulOct 19th, 2016
Find this wine if you can. Former Marcassin Assistant Winemaker to Helen Turley. This chard was awesome.
Find this wine if you can. Former Marcassin Assistant Winemaker to Helen Turley. This chard was awesome.
1 person found it helpfulJul 17th, 2015