Winemaker's Notes
This bottling, our 20th vintage from this wonderful yet tiny site, shows great generosity and viscosity as it usually does. It is an impressive site for Chardonnay and regardless of whether we harvest on the earlier side or the later side of ‘the window,’ its core personality remains remarkably consistent. Star fruit, apple and pear is the fruit signature for Helfer.
Despite a slightly lower alcohol level this year (14.3%) this vintage is a bit more lusty than 2015 or 2014 were before it. It is currently showing its non-fruit elements on its sleeve: Umami-laden lees contact, barrel elements play tag team in balancing that signature star-fruit character of this site. There is an incredible level of creaminess yet it still finishes on a salivary upward note. It works well with roast chicken, lobster and/or close friends.
Judi Scherrer –
Vinous – May 2019
The 2016 Chardonnay Helfer Vineyard is creamy, open-knit and quite expressive. Lemon confit, orchard fruit, white flowers and mint all add lovely brightness to play off the beautifully layered fruit. The Helfer is a bit more suave and charming than the Scherrer Vineyard Chardonnay tasted along side it. 92 points. Antonio Galloni
Judi Scherrer –
Wine Spectator – June 2019
Offers mouth filling richness, with well-structured flavors of pear tart, apple pastry and dried peach. Buttercream notes emerge on the long, spicy finish. Drink now through 2023. 91 points. Kim Marcus
Judi Scherrer –
California Grapevine – June 2019
Medium-light golden yellow; attractive, fragrant, floral, slightly buttery, citrus, apple, and peach cobbler aroma; medium body; rich, silky, green apple, pear, and stone fruit flavors with mineral notes, crisp, lemony acidity, and a bit tight on the finish; lingering aftertaste. Very highly recommended. My Score: 91 points. Nick Ponomareff