Tasting note

2013 is the finest chardonnay yet from the Saunders vineyard within Thomas Bachelder's range, in my view, reaching another level of depth and sophistication ... The nose offers a broad amalgam of citrus and fresh orchard fruit, cashew and delicate barrel spice - there's little (new) wood influence here save for the lightly oxidative nature of the wine. The palate delivers an additional wash of acidulated fruit, showing surprising tension and taughtness despite evident ripeness and concentration, and the finish has excellent length. This is succulent and savoury, classy chardonnay with exceptional complexity overall. Although showing well now (with air), this will surely continue to improve over the next 2-4 years, and hold comfortably into the '20s. Score - 94. (John Szabo, MS, winealign.com, June 19, 2016)