Still in barrel, the 2020 Chardonnay Ellen Lane Estate has a finely detailed perfume of apricot, spring honey, citrus blossom, pastry and spice, and the medium-bodied palate is silky, seamless and long. Made since 1996, this 2020 will be the last vintage of Ellen Lane Estate from Paul Hobbs after the vineyard was recently purchased by new owners.

The 2019 Chardonnay Ellen Lane Estate is shy at this early stage, opening slowly to golden apples, almonds, dried hay and latent spices. The palate is light-bodied with pleasant, tangy lift, and it finishes long on a mineral note. Give it another 2-3 years in bottle. 292 cases were made.

The 2018 Chardonnay Ellen Lane Estate opens slowly to scents of toast, stone, cashew and white apricot with hints of pastry. The palate is elegant, with stony notions and toasty fruit layers enlivened by tangy acidity with a long, delicate finish. 347 cases produced.

Produced from Old Wente Hyde Selection clones, the 2017 Chardonnay Ellen Lane Estate leaps from the glass with gregarious notions of candied ginger, lemongrass, yuzu zest and allspice with a core of green mango and pineapple plus a waft of crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, the palate features a truly zippy line of freshness lifting the densely packed, opulent tropical and spice layers to a very long finish. Fantastic tension! 434 cases were made, to be released in March 2019.

The 2016 Chardonnay Ellen Lane Estate leaps from the glass with electric lemonade, lime cordial and fresh grapefruit scents with touches of yuzu, lightly browned toast, marzipan and peach blossoms. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is seriously zesty with a refreshing backbone and long, chalky finish. 386 cases were made.