2011 Poe, Chardonnay “Ferrington Vineyard” Anderson Valley.
Samantha Sheehan’s Poe label hasn’t been around long, but if she keeps putting wines like this out, she’ll be around a long time! With winemaker Jon Keyes, formerly of Sine Qua Non, Outpost and Two Hands, Sheehan has created a great set of 2011 wines from Anderson Valley’s cool climate, a lovely and stylish Pinot and this fantastic Ferrington Chardonnay which shows purity of fruit, terroir and verve that I haven’t seen in this vintage as of yet. Sheehan’s mission statement to make elegant, refined and micro-climate wines has very much come to fruition in these 2011 wines come with pretty aromatics, terroir characteristics and focused detail, and as the cliche goes, very Burgundy like. The 2011 Poe Ferrington Chardonnay bursts to life in the glass with a bouquet of white flowers, apple skin, cool mineral with hints of hazelnut, spice and brioche leading to a round palate of lemon, green apple and ripe pear with lots of drive and clean acidity that heightens the flavors. The wine expands in the mouth leaving a creamy textured feel without heaviness or flab, and the wood never intrudes other than leaving only the faintest of smoke and vanilla impression. This wine is wonderfully balance and has good vigor and length, making for a very sexy Chardonnay that drinks great now and may gain with a little short term aging. This is very tasty stuff, very much like some very much more expensive old Wente clone Chards from some rather famous estates, so if you love fine Chards, you should check Poe out soon.
($42 Est.) 92-94 Points, grapelive