2022 Paul Hobbs George Menini Estate Chardonnay Russian River Valley

JD95 The 2022 Chardonnay George Menini Estate comes from the Sebastopol Hills, where this vineyard was once an old apple farm. In the glass, it pours a bright silver/yellow color and is lifted and fresh on the nose, opening to notes of wet stone, dewy citrus blossoms, almonds, and fresh pear. Elegant and medium-bodied, it’s long on the palate, with delicate floral notes and hints of lemon curd through the finish. Drink 2025-2037. 675 cases were produced.

JS95 This is a dense and very limey chardonnay, with lemon-curd and crushed-stone aromas and flavors. It’s full-bodied and foursquare, with a solid structure and intense flavors. A mouthful of fruit. Chunky. Honeysuckle and nettles at the end. Agile for a big wine. Drink now or hold.

WA94 The 2022 Chardonnay George Menini Estate comes from Paul Hobbs’s newest vineyard, planted in 2015. It was matured for 12 months, bottled in August of 2023 and tasted that November. It takes some time to reveal soft touches of beeswax and crème brûlée, quince and white peach, plus floral and saline undertones. The light-bodied palate is supple and vibrant, its crunchy, saline-driven fruit still coiled on the finish. It’s a bright, focused expression reminiscent of Chablis and will benefit from 2-3+ years in bottle. 675 cases were made, and it will be released in March of 2024.