| Rating | 95 |
| Style | White |
| Variety | Chardonnay |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Appellation |
Sierra Foothills California USA |
| ABV | 13.6% |
| Price | $38.00 |
| Print Shelf Talker | |
| Reviewed By | |
| Reviewed | 2026-07-21 |
Perfect For
Backyard BBQs, Dinner Parties, Wine And Cheese Night
Drink If You Like
Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc , Savagnin
Forlorn Hope Chardonnay 2021 Review
Forlorn Hope is based in the high-elevation Sierra Foothills, where Matthew and Mara Rorick tend the 75-acre, organically farmed Rock Heritage Vineyard. This is Forlorn Hope’s first Chardonnay made entirely with fruit from 50-year-old, own-rooted vines from the property. Aged in barriques for three years before bottling, this wine from 2021 is already having beautifully. Caramel candies, yellow flowers, and spice dance on the nose. There’s a richness on the palate that comes across as toasted hazelnuts, ripe pears, and juicy citrus. But that intense flavor is beautifully framed by a strong acid structure.
As of 2024, VinePair no longer participates in any affiliate programs. All links included in our content are as a convenience to our readers, not for earning commission — we receive no monetary value from them. Learn more about our tastings & review department here!
Related Reads
Learn About Chardonnay
Related Forlorn Hope Reviews
Forlorn Hope 'Queen of the Sierra' Red 2021:
Forlorn Hope was founded in 2005 on the principle of celebrating the little guy, the unsung heroes of the California landscape throughout ...
Forlorn Hope Queen of the Sierra Amber 2023:
The grapes are sourced from the organically farmed, high-elevation Rorick Heritage vineyard in Calaveras County in the foothills of the ...
Forlorn Hope Petite Voile Chardonnay 2018:
Petit Voile means small veil, and this name is a nod to how this wine was made. In 2019, Vigneron Matthew Rorick and winemaker Mara Ambrose ...
Related Chardonnay Reviews
Montinore Estate Chardonnay 2023:
With sustainably farmed vineyards across Oregon's Willamette Valley, Montinore Estate is one of the largest biodynamic wineries in the U.S. ...
Featured Chardonnay Articles
Rheinhessen Is Leading the German Wine Revolution. Here are 5 Producers to Know.:
Germany's wine scene is having a revival, largely due to the success of Rheinhessen. Here are five producers to know from the region.
It’s Been 50 Years Since the Judgement of Paris — It’s Time to Move On.:
In 1976, the Judgement of Paris put Napa on the map. In the 50 years since, the wine world has changed drastically. So is it time to move on?
When Did Burgundy Become Untouchable?:
Seemingly nothing can tarnish Burgundy’s reputation. Which leads to the question: When did Burgundy take over wine’s upper tier?
The 50 Best Wines of 2024:
Read VinePair's authoritative list of the best 50 wines of 2024 now! These are 50 of the best wines you can buy. See them all now!
