Winemaker's Notes
After 14 vintages with this site and some changes in approach along the way, I feel I am getting a pretty good handle on how to work with this to optimize enjoyment over the longest time frame possible. Allowing fermentations to occur without inoculating with yeast or bacteria has been key to an important change made just a few years ago. The fruit still has a kind of ‘starfruit’ and citrus note that I find very interesting but everything seems focused sooner. It likes some new oak of a couple types that play off each other well and really support the grape material without standing apart as a distraction. It has been getting some serious attention among serious Chardonnay aficionados over the past couple of years
Judi Scherrer –
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar – June 2014
Light yellow. Complex, perfumed scents of poached pear, nectarine and honey, with smoky oak and iodine accents. Deeply pitched pit and orchard fruit flavors show very good vivacity, with dusty minerality adding back-end lift. The smoky note carries through the long, penetrating finish, with the pear note echoing. 91 points. Josh Raynolds
Judi Scherrer –
Wine Spectator– June 2014
Intense, with an edgy texture and ripe pear, fig and honeydew melon notes, gaining depth and complexity and ending with a touch of anise. Drink now through 2021. 89 Points. Jim Laube
Judi Scherrer –
California Grapevine – July 2014
Medium-light golden yellow; forward, toasty, citrus and baked apple aroma with hints of vanilla and roasted hazelnut; medium to medium-full body; fleshy, citrus, pear and green apple flavors with undertones of toasty oak; lingering aftertaste. Highly recommended. My score 89. Nick Ponomareff