Winemaker's Notes
This is our second vintage in a slightly different twist from our traditional mode with this vineyard. It was made without assistance by cultured yeasts. As those who have been with us for several years or more understand, I am not prone to major swings in technique. While this is not major change, it is still significant and has been approached in a measured way. I have high hopes for this tack. It gives a different kind of focus to the fruit than years before (like using a different lens), but at the same time it seems to have also integrated the fruit, yeast and oak more rapidly as well. I expect it to age as long as usual, and I feel that this new twist will yield a longer ‘sweet spot’ for consumption. This is one I personally plan to keep on the heavy side for the library.
Judi Scherrer –
The Wine Advocate – April 2013
Laced with apricots, white flowers and mint, all of which come together in a nicely balanced wine with good personality and character. Yellow orchard fruits, flowers and mint add complexity on the finish. Anticipated maturity 2013-2017. 88 points. Antonio Galloni
Judi Scherrer –
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar – May 2013
Bright yellow-gold. Highly perfumed, pungent bouquet displays fresh pear, yellow plum, truffle and iodine; very Burgundian in style. vibrant citrus zest and orchard fruit flavors gain depth with air and display fine balance and focus. Finishes with excellent cling and mineral-driven thrust, leaving smoke and spice notes behind. 92 points. Josh Raynolds
Judi Scherrer –
Executive Wine Seminars – July 2013
Blind tasting of 14 of “California’s Finest Chardonnays” Light straw color. Beautiful, open, expressive nose suggests apple and pear skin, talc, and a creamy quality that adds to its allure. Wonderful in the mouth as well; a wine of freshness, vibrancy and vitality. It’s a complex chardonnay with citrus, apple and tangerine flavors. Very long, consistent finish. Everyone in the room loves this wine. Once again, Scherrer’s Helfer Vineyard proved to be California’s single best under-the-radar chardonnay at the high end. 96 rating 30 points (5/5/5) Howard Kaplan. Read the complete tasting report here.