Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesThese Addax releases are made by the talented Russell Bevan. I loved the 2017 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast and it’s a big, rich, medium to full-bodied Chardonnay that has plenty of intensity and depth, and well as balance. Notes of caramelized lemons, lavender, honeyed pears, and spice all emerge from the glass and it has just a kiss of toastiness on the palate which adds complexity. This is a beautiful, classy Chardonnay (I wouldn’t say it’s for the Burg only crowd) that has a terrific mix of freshness and richness. It’s going to evolve for a solid 7-8 years or more.
A vast appellation covering Sonoma County’s Pacific coastline, the Sonoma Coast AVA runs all the way from the Mendocino County border, south to the San Pablo Bay. The region can actually be divided into two sections—the actual coastal vineyards, marked by marine soils, cool temperatures and saline ocean breezes—and the warmer, drier vineyards further inland, which are still heavily influenced by the Pacific but not quite with same intensity.
Contained within the appellation are the much smaller Fort Ross-Seaview and Petaluma Gap AVAs.
The Sonoma Coast is highly regarded for elegant Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and, increasingly, cool-climate Syrah. The wines have high acidity, moderate alcohol, firm tannin, and balanced ripeness.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.