To strongly reiterate, “2013 for many wineries in Napa and Sonoma has produced the finest wines I have tasted in 37 years…2013 a classic of power, intensity and equilibrium…” - Robert Parker
With everyone from wine critics to winemakers to wine collectors raving about this stellar vintage, I am always anxious to open a bottle, and the 2013 Newton Unfiltered Chardonnay seemed particularly appealing one night this week when my husband was taking some salmon burgers off the grill.
Newton sources their Chardonnay from the Carneros region of Napa, on hills that roll toward the San Pablo Bay. This location is especially good for the vineyards – the fog rolls in each evening and lingers through morning, and the afternoon brings gentle breezes. Because the season is quite long, the fruit is harvested beautifully ripe. 2013 added to these conditions with an early spring and little rain, followed by perfect summer weather. It is a vintage already known for big, bold flavors balanced with optimal acidity.
Keeping all of this in mind, I did a very slight chill to the bottle as I really wanted the 2013 Newton Unfiltered Chardonnay to be able to show its complexity. The Newton team achieves this by aging their Chardonnay 15 months in French oak barrels, with roughly a third of them new. Each barrel is hand-stirred every seven days – this ‘re-suspends’ the sediment and adds great complexity to the wine. The Chardonnay takes on a richness and layers of plush, satisfying flavors.
Pale yellow, the wine is beautiful in the glass though the color only teases at the wines vivacious nature. This is no shrinking violet! The aromas were bursting from the glass, making us eager for the first sip, and it delivers beautifully on the palate, too. Complex is not a strong enough term here – the flavors range from rich, slightly sweet handmade bread, vanilla, peaches and other ripe orchard fruits all touched with wildflower honey. The finish has the power to reflect this amazing vintage, and we were so happy with the first glasses, the bottle was too soon empty! It paired very well with the bigger flavors in the salmon, enhancing the weighty texture with enough acidity to balance the oiliness of this fish.
I wouldn’t limit this beautiful Chardonnay to a “fish and chicken only” selection – it has the personality to stand shoulder to shoulder with a pork tenderloin or even pasta or risotto with a rich mushroom sauce. It is truly complex enough to be adventurous with your pairings, and it will be a versatile addition to your cellar. The winemaker recommends drinking it on the young side, but I might lay one down for a few years longer just to see how it shows then – I really think it has the stuffing to pull it off!
We have the 2013 Newton Chardonnay on hand at $39.99 BTL, ready to offer to family and friends now through the best of summer and beyond. With a solid 94 points from Robert Parker himself who added it is “one of Napa’s finest efforts”, you might consider have a case or two on hand – after this tasting, I am thinking that will be the plan at my house!