92-94
Jeb Dunnuck
2018
Scheduled to be bottled just after this tasting, the 2018 Chardonnay Charles Heintz Vineyard is certainly an outstanding wine and comes all from the Clone 4 of Chardonnay and 30+-year-old vines. It will have spent 11 months in 55% new oak. Offering lots of crushed rock and salty mineral notes interwoven with plenty of spice, citrus, and orchard fruits, it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a balanced texture, good acidity, and a clean finish. It’s a classic, balanced Russian River release that has both richness and freshness.