Radio-Coteau SeaBed Estate Chardonnay 2019

“The 2019 Chardonnay Estate SeaBed is laced with the essence of crushed rocks, graphite, dried herbs, chamomile and chalk. The SeaBed is always the most mineral and phenolic of the Radio-Coteau Chardonnays. It is all that in 2019, but with the volume turned up. Even with its large-scaled intensity and explosiveness, the 2019 retains striking transparency. It’s one of the most memorable wines l have ever tasted from Radio-Coteau. Drinking window: 2023-2031. 96 points

I was deeply impressed with this range from Eric Sussman and Davida Ebner. Tasting a bit later in the year gave me an opportunity to sample two vintages in bottle, which is not the case in most years, when I visit earlier. The bottled 2018s capture all the promise I saw last year. It is simply a fabulous vintage for Radio-Coteau. In 2019 I think the Chardonnays are stronger than the Pinots, which is consistent with my feeling about the vintage in Sonoma more broadly. I find the 2019s Pinots a bit light, despite the smaller crop that year vis-à-vis 2019. The 2019s were also vinified with more whole clusters and with lighter extractions overall, so separating the vintage effect from a natural evolution in winemaking is not easy.”

Antonio Galloni, Vinous (01/21)