Reconnecting with Wente Vineyards and Especially with the Wente Clone of Chardonnay

I recently reconnected with the Wentes of Wente Vineyards for the inaugural World Chardonnay Day webinar. The Wente Family is known for its "Wente clone" of Chardonnay, which is a highly sought-after heritage clone in California.

White
90
Wente Vineyards 2019 Chardonnay Riva Ranch Vineyard Arroyo Seco-Monterey 13.5%Bold, buttery, juicy, vivaciously curvy, this is a hedonistic Chardonnay. Showing charismatic winemaking with a bold, spice rack flavor-driven palate with dense fruit concentration and moderate refreshment, this is classic California Chardonnay. The palate adds on layers of brioche and lemon rind. Moderately refreshing, this is pensive, dense California Chardonnay. While its multiple layers offer very good complexity, its medium but rather heavy finish and overt fruit forwardness suggest that this is better for earlier drinking.
Drink: 2021-23 

89
Wente Vineyards 2019 Eric's Unoaked Chardonnay Small Lot Livermore Valley 13% $35
An elegant and moderately reserved Chardonnay, this is a white that shouldn't be served too cold. The fresh, pure and tantalizing aromatics of star fruit and Canary melon draw in the nose. The palate is similar, adding a light buttery edge (appealing, if unusual for a stainless steel fermented and aged Chardonnay) and finishing with freshly sliced pears. The freshness reverberates on this medium-bodied wine.
Drink: 2021-23 

Reds
93
Wente Vineyards 2018 Pinot Noir nth Degree Arroyo Seco 14.9% $95
As with the other Wente wines, the name of the game here is balance...and seamless balance. This despite the fact this showcase bottling has a larger-than-life personality. It is a unique Pinot Noir in that it shows incredible heft while also showing elegant vinosity and a clear, underlying Pinot Noir-ness. The flavors are bold with aromas of bramble, boysenberry, Mission fig and licorice scented with fireplace embers and spice box. The tannins are seamless and show just a light tug on the lingering finish while the buoyant acidity works hard to provide lift.
Drink: 2021-25 

91
Wente Vineyards 2019 Pinot Noir Clones Winemakers Selection Limited Production 14.5% $50
A blend of Pinot Noir from Arroyo Seco and Monterey, this is 81% Clone 114 and 19% Pommard Clone. Only 16 barrels were produced - composed of 50% new and 50% second use, and the result is certainly a showy wine. Yet impressively, the Pinot Noir is so dense in texture and fruit concentration that it handles the generous quantity of new and near-new oak well. Still, this wine benefits tremendously from aeration. Flavors of black plums, cassis, toast and spice create a stir on the nose and the palate. Full-bodied and muscular with mild tannins and discreet but hard-working acidic lift, this hefty Pinot Noir is rather well-balanced.
Drink: 2021-24