Winemaker's Notes
I have been working with this fine one-acre site since 1998. Aromas and flavors of apple galette with an extra dose of fresh Fuji apple lead into a decisively mouth-watering finish. Quite structured for a white wine, exhibiting acidity and a sense of minerality (which has essentially nothing to do with actual mineral levels in the wine) this is both refreshing and substantial even though the alcohol level clocking in a tad below 14% this year. Rather than an impressively effusive collection of diverse characteristics as in the past, this seems to have a surprising level of unity at this young stage.
Judi Scherrer –
Vinous – April 2020
The 2017 Chardonnay Helfer Vineyard is compelling. A hint of reduction in the bouquet leads into tangerine, orange peel, mint and buttery notes. This is a pretty rich, extroverted style for Scherrer, but it works very well. The Helfer is intriguing and full of character. 93 Points. Antonio Galloni
Judi Scherrer –
California Grapevine – June 2020
Medium-light golden yellow; assertive, floral, slightly buttery, apple and stone fruit aroma; medium body; rich, silky, nicely balanced, citrus and green apple flavors with firm acidity and a mineral note on the finish; lingering aftertaste. Very highly recommended. My Score: 91. Nick Ponomareff