Landmark Vineyards was founded in 1974 by a group that included Damaris Deere Ford, the great-great-great granddaughter of steel plow inventor John Deere. In 1989, Ford became the sole owner and acquired the present Kenwood location in Sonoma Valley to craft premium chardonnay. Two years later, the acclaimed Landmark Overlook Chardonnay was created. The first single-vineyard Pinot Noir was released in 1995. Today, in addition to Landmark Vineyards Overlook wines produced from multiple Sonoma vineyards, Landmark Vineyards crafts 10 single-vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines.

Lorenzo Vineyard is one of the coldest, foggiest grape-growing spots in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley. “Lorenzo” is the last Chardonnay site harvested each year by Landmark. “The fruit is really ripe and retains its acidity,” says winemaker Gregory Stach.

The color is beaming lemon yellow with complex aromas of white peach, lemon, sweet oak, notes of fresh stone minerality, sweet oak and vanilla. The palate is just as complex, showing layered flavors of lemon curd, sliced ripe orange, baking spices, and toasted almond. The crisp acidity is nicely interwoven through the palate giving this Chardonnay wonderful balance and persistent acidity that leads to a finish that is long and mouthwatering. While Lorenzo 2020 is a delicious and drinkable Chardonnay today, the best is yet to come with more time in the bottle.

By Perry Miroballi