Our Finest Selection Chardonnay Reviews

SILVER

GOLD

OFS (“Our Finest Selection”) presents DeLoach’s best lots of the vintage. For the 2012 chardonnay winemaker Brian Maloney drew on nine vineyards throughout the Russian River Valley, from 40-year-old vines at Ritchie and Heintz to DeLoach’s own young, biodynamically farmed vineyard in front of their winery. Generous and powerful, this draws energy from a fresh, earthy current running underneath the fruit, layering the wine’s Rainier cherry and wildflower honey aromas with veins of firm, sandstone-like structure. It has the mineral, baroque, yellow-fruited clarity of classical Russian River chardonnay, bold at the outset, cool and complex in the finish.

Presents a leafy green apple and citrus edge to the core flavors. Clean, refreshing and lively through the finish. -JL

OFS ("Our Finest Selection") presents DeLoach's best lots of the vintage. For the 2012 chardonnay winemaker Brian Maloney drew on nine vineyards throughout the Russian River Valley, from 40-year-old vines at Ritchie and Heintz to DeLoach's own young, biodynamically farmed vineyard in front of their winery. Generous and powerful, this draws energy from a fresh, earthy current running underneath the fruit, layering the wine's Rainier cherry and wildflower honey aromas with veins of firm, sandstone-like structure. It has the mineral, baroque, yellow-fruited clarity of classical Russian River chardonnay, bold at the outset, cool and complex in the finish.
 

The 2012 Chardonnay OFS, meaning “our finest selection,” is not as fine as some of DeLoach’s great classics of the past. However, now that this property is under the control of the Boisset Family Estates, I am sure given what Jean-Charles Boisset has done elsewhere will continue to resurrect and improve the quality at DeLoach. The wine exhibits a light gold color, tropical fruit, white corn and honeysuckle notes, medium body, and good freshness as well as acidity. Drink it over the next year.
 

The Chardonnay O.F.S. is a cuvee that, in the days of Cecil Deloach, was one of the great Chardonnays of Northern California, and is now being resurrected by Jean-Charles Boisset, who owns this winery. The 2011 Chardonnay O.F.S. possesses more honeyed tropical fruit than its siblings as well as a richer, fuller taste profile. Good freshness and purity along with a judicious and discrete use of wood suggest it should drink nicely for 5-6 years.

Pure, ripe, layered notes of fig, honeydew melon and pear are elegant and delicate, gaining on the finish. Drink now through 2017. 1,144 cases made. –JL

Pure, ripe, layered notes of fig, honeydew melon and pear are elegant and delicate, gaining on the finish. Drink now through 2017.

This finest selection Chardonnay is a blend of the winery's various vineyards. It's pretty oaky, with vanilla, buttered toast and honey dominating, yet there are enough tropical fruit, orange, pear, and apricot flavors, and brisk acidity, to counterbalance the wood. -S.H.