2013 Joseph Phelps "Freestone Vineyards" Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

The 2013 Chardonnay Freestone Vineyard is quite pretty, but it is very tight today, most likely the result of its recent bottling. Lemon curd, chamomile and white pepper blossom in this expressive Chardonnay. These new and upcoming releases from Joseph Phelps's Sonoma Coast property are quite attractive. The 2012s have turned out nicely. I was quite surprised to see just how rich the 2012 Pinots are. In that sense, they are markedly different in style from the generally more perfumed, mid-weight Pinots that typically emerge from this part of the coast. The 2013s have a little more energy and delineation than the 2013s. Phelps opted to bottle the 2013s earlier than the 2012s, which meant I saw them just after bottling. (AG)