Chardonnay in the right hands absolutely rocks, and so does this wine.

For some, the word 'Chardonnay' strikes fear into the heart — will it be flabby, overly-oaked, as buttery as movie theater popcorn? California Chardonnay especially gets thrown under the bus.

But it’s all lies and we know it. Every one of us at Flatiron Wines, and every Chardonnay winemaker we’ve ever met, will wax poetic about Chardonnay’s inherent greatness. And when it comes to Poe’s Anderson Valley Ferrington Vineyard Chardonnay, well, we’ll even say nice things about California, too.

Delivering tremendous quality for your dollar, this balanced and fresh Mendocino Chard is perfect for classic Mâcon lovers who favor texture and creaminess as well as clear, linear fruit. The oak used is 100% neutral and it spent 18 months on lees. Nectarine, crushed rocks and lemon oil and a pinch of salt make for a satisfying and refined finish with the classic vibrant acidity of the Anderson Valley.

The Ferrington vineyard, planted in the 1970s, is located just west of the town of Booneville in the Anderson Valley AVA. Cool Pacific Ocean air preserves freshness in the wines while the soil — thin sandy-loam topsoil over a thick layer of Franciscan sandstone — is low enough in nutrients to permit yields of only 2-3 tons per acre.

In short, this is a single-vineyard, organically farmed Chardonnay for summer that manages to draw many of the descriptors we typically use for white Burgundy––the region of inspiration and discovery for winemaker Samantha Sheehan. And if you’re not lucky enough to be spending the afternoon tasting Samantha’s wines in the Napa tasting room she shares with Forlorn Hope, you can get it from us today for under $25. You’ll want to enjoy this Mendocino gem along with roast chicken, summer salads, seafood, white fish and wild-mushroom pastas. It’s also just a perfect happy-hour sipper.

Poe Wines, Chardonnay Ferrington Vineyard, 2018 $29.99
“The 2018 Ferrington Chardonnay tips the scales at a very civilized thirteen percent octane and delivering a fine aromatic constellation of pink grapefruit, pear, a touch of fleur de sel, orangezest, lovely minerality, dried flowers and a touch of new oak. On the palate the wine is bright, primary and full, with zesty acids, fine focus and grip, a good core and lovely soil signature popping out on the long and classy finish.” —John Gilman