By Dierberg
2014 Dierberg Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley

Tasting Notes
The Dierberg Vineyard Chardonnay has consistently offered, and almost paradoxically so, both tropical and citrus notes. 2014 emphasized the vineyard's lemon, lime, and fennel characters more so than previous vintages, but it also expresses classic California Chardonnay characters with lychee and general rich, ripe fruit. What we truly adore about this wine, and what we believe intimates its age-worthiness, is the focused and tight texture. Something feels very serious about this wine amidst all its subtly. Don't be fooled by initial reticence - we believe it will deliver for many, many years to come.

Winemaker Notes
2014, while similar to 2013, did not bring the same exuberance and concentration of 2013. Generally, the wines are more precise and driven by finesse, and this is especially true in the Dierberg Vineyard Estate Chardonnay. This is not to say it lacks concentration or punch, but the multiple layers of flavor and increased acidity levels offer a more subtle expression of those flavors. Given the precise nature of the vintage, we did just a touch more secondary fermentation to add body to the middle palate, but otherwise produced this wine in a very similar manner to 2013.

Vintage
2014 continues the trend (since 2012) of limited moisture, marked by warm springs and moderate summers. While 2014's ripening period was earlier and warmer than others - finishing maturity in August/September instead of September/October - grape quality developed evenly. In fact, the hang time from flowering to full maturity was no different than years past as everything started earlier. Limited moisture improves overall concentration and structure in wine. Across our entire portfolio we observe a precision and refinement to 2014 that presents itself as purity and reticence hinting at longevity.

Details
Harvested: August 2014
Bottled: December 2015
Cellar Life: 10+ years
Alcohol: 13.80%
Barrel Age: 14 months
Oak: 15% new, 400L French
[Information provided by Dierberg]

Dierberg CCL 2014 Chardonnay Dierberg Vineyard
Points: 93
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast
White wine from United States
Drinking window: 2016 - 2021
The 2014 Chardonnay Dierberg Vineyard is bright, focused and nicely sculpted throughout. Lemon confit, white flowers and slate are some of the signatures that develop in the glass. This is a classic Santa Maria Chardonnay built on energy and tension. -Antonio Galloni. Tasting date: June 2016

Dierberg 2014 Dierberg Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley)
Points: 91
Designation: Dierberg Vineyard
Variety: Chardonnay
Appellation: Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California, US
Winery: Dierberg
Alcohol: 13.80%
Bottle Size: 750.00 ml
Category: White
Date Published: 12/1/2017
By Matt Kettmann
The aromas are restrained and mellow in this bottling from winemaker Tyler Thomas, showing mostly yellow apple and citrus peel notes. The palate is racy, high-toned and steely in structure, framed by a razor-sharp edge of zippy acidity, with only faint background notes of ripe stonefruit.

DIERBERG Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley Dierberg Vineyard 2014
Score: 88
Country: United States
Region: California
Issue: Web Only - 2018
Green apple and pear flavors are fresh and well-framed in this crisp white. Notes of chamomile and hints of cream show on the spicy finish. Drink now through 2019. -KM