RADIO COTEAU Estate Sea Bed Chardonnay - Western Sonoma County 2021 Bottle

Description

The 2021 Chardonnay Estate SeaBed, located on a ridgetop above Occidental, reflects the unique marine influence of its historic terroir that was once underwater. Earning 94 points from James Suckling, this powerful yet elegant wine showcases rich aromas of golden apples, brioche, salinity, wet stones, spices, and mushrooms, with a juicy and structured palate framed by oak tannins and textural acidity. Decanter also awards it 94 points, highlighting its pronounced saline streak reminiscent of the Pacific Ocean, complemented by vibrant pineapple and lemon curd notes alongside underripe mango. Vinous notes its strong savoury and phenolic character, appealing to those who appreciate the subtler nuances of Sonoma Chardonnay. This exceptional wine is best enjoyed from 2024 to 2031.

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RADIO COTEAU
Radio-Coteau is a boutique winery located in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, California, founded in 2002 by Eric Sussman. The winery specializes in producing high-quality, small-lot wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region, focusing on cool-climate varietals such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah. Radio-Coteau sources its grapes from carefully selected vineyards, emphasizing sustainable and organic farming practices, including biodynamic methods. The wines are celebrated for their elegance, complexity, and balance, often showcasing vibrant fruit flavors and nuanced aromas. With a strong commitment to craftsmanship and quality, Radio-Coteau has garnered recognition and acclaim within the wine community, appealing to collectors and enthusiasts seeking authentic expressions of Sonoma wines.

The estate lies ten miles from the ocean on a ridgetop above Occidental. Long before it was planted to vineyards, the area encompassing our Estate was underwater. Through a series of tectonic shifts, the earth was transformed into the rolling hills of West Sonoma County. The sandy loam of the ancient sea are still present in the soil, and this wine serves as a vestige of this history with its striking salinity befitting its marine name.

JAMES SUCKLING 94 points
Powerful yet elegant, a full-bodied wine with richness and freshness. Aromas of golden apples, brioche, salinity, wet stones, spices and mushrooms. The palate is juicy but very structured by oak tannins and layers of textural acidity. Drinkable now, but it would be interesting to see this wine age. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

DECANTER 94 points
Tasted by: J'nai Gaither
(at Napa, California, 01 Jun 2024)
Drinking Window: 2024 - 2031
Unfiltered with pineapple notes with a saline streak so pronounced it could rival the Pacific Ocean. It’s a mineral-driven wine, to be sure, with long ageing potential. The lemon curd component is pronounced, along with the underripe mango that is present.

VINOUS 94 points
Drinking Window 2023 - 2029
From: Sonoma’s Sensational 2021s (Aug 2023)
The 2021 Chardonnay Estate SeaBed brings together all the elements that make these wines so compelling. The SeaBed is marked by its strong savory and phenolic character, with fruit notes that are pushed into the background. It's a wine for readers who appreciate the subtler side of Sonoma Chardonnay. - By Antonio Galloni on June 2023