2024 Neely Chardonnay 'Bee Block'

100% Chardonnay; block planted in 1982; fermented in barrel with full malolactic. Aged ten months in neutral oak. 12.1% alcohol. 78 cases made.  Neely is a bit of a hidden gem in the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation, albeit with some serious pedigree. Set across 240 acres with just 16 acres planted close to the town of Portola Valley, the Neely family has owned this place since 1995, their Spring Ridge Vineyard originally planted in 1980 by the Varner brothers to Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer. 

94 points, Jeb Dunnuck. "From an older vineyard block with its share of challenges, the one most exposed to the sun and the wind, the barrel-fermented 2024 Chardonnay Estate Spring Ridge Vineyard Bee Block is aged 10 months in 15% new French oak, with a fruit-forwardness that appeals. Mango, pear, and bright acidity highlight a medium-bodied richness that’s subtle and complex, drinking beautifully now and for the next 8-10 years."