SONOMA COAST CHARDONNAY 2017
KUTCH

“Tight, liquorice nose. Very pure, verging but not trespassing on austere. Stone-fruit flavour and chiselled structure. For the moment just a bit too introvert. Drink 2021 – 2026”

“Very pale colour. Smoky reduction, a light toastiness of oak, and pithy lemons on the nose. There is a touch of tropical fruit too. The palate has enough generosity in texture while remaining saline, mineral and taut. Citrus dominates the fruit profile. Steely and long. Very impressive drive that should flesh out and improve with time in bottle.”

“The Sonoma Coast Chardonnay emerges from own-rooted, dry-farmed vineyards on the Bohan ranch planted in 1972, so it is not surprising this is a fairly rich, phenolic style that favours structure and savouriness more than overt fruit. There is so much to like in this decidedly old school-leaning Chardonnay.”

“'Formerly a NASDAQ trader for Merrill Lynch, Jamie Kutch gave up the city life to pursue Pinot-and Chardonnay-making in California-and is now a rising star. Great nose, very elegant and fine, with very light, reductive struck-match aromas. Round and rich palate, with a full-bodied attack of lean pineapple and passion fruit balanced by an amazing hit of clean lemony acidity carrying on to a never-ending finish. Drink 2018-2026 Alc 14%'”

“"Very fine, lemony and assertive on the nose, with delicate matchstick notes from nice reduction. The palate is linear and precise with really tight, lean, but full flavoured lemon notes. It’s beautifully taut and expressive with keen acidity that’s struggling a bit to integrate now, but which will in time. This is so pristine and taut and offers lots of promise for the future, but it’s also edgy and enjoyable now if you like this reductive style. I love it." ”

“"Kutch's 2015 Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast) is a very pretty wine that straddles the line between the more reductive style of the 2014 and lusher expression found in the 2016. Lemon peel, white flowers, chalk, mint and white pepper give the 2015 brightness, aromatic lift and tension. Insistent saline notes punctuate the driving finish. Most of the fruit is from Bohan, although about 10% of the grapes came from Trout Gulch, in the Santa Cruz Mountains."”