The nose of the 2010 Eyrie Original Vines Reserve Chardonnay throws me a bit, hence only 8.9 points. Opens with pitched notes of coffee grounds, an aroma I strongly associate with some malolactic strains, roasted nuts, toast and a touch of lemon zest. It feels somewhat closed, there isn’t a lot of fruit here, one has to dig to unearth subtle notes of Valencia orange and unripened pear. To its credit, there is nice texture and dimension, improved by minerally wet shell notes, and acidic lilt on the finish. Sample
8.9 Points