2020 Chardonnay Bentrock Vineyard

These new releases from Etienne de Montille’s Racines kick off with the first sparkling wine made in collaboration with Rodolphe Péters. The new Grande Reserve, all 2018 in its first release, will gradually become a multi-vintage blend in the style of Péters’ Cuvée De Réserve Champagne. A series of vineyard designate bottlings will join the portfolio, stating with 2018s from Bentrock and Sanford & Benedict slated to be released in a few years’ time. The 2020 Chardonnays are quite good. They show plenty of character, along with the richness of the year. I found the Pinots fairly impenetrable following their bottling a few months ago and look forward to tasting them again at a later date, when hopefully they are a bit more accessible.