Winemaker Notes
A sophisticated Chardonnay that playfully teases the palate. As if a portal to the fog-laden and wind-swept hillsides of the Sonoma Coast, this powerful Chardonnay transports the senses with classic aromas of pear tart, green apple, Meyer lemon, and an unmistakable salinity. Bold flavors of baked apple, toasted vanilla, and honeysuckle create a richly complex and layered mouthfeel that is harnessed by the vibrant acidity this AVA is known for.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Shows toasted, buttery brioche notes that frame a crisp core of Asian pear, yellow apple, nutmeg-laced spice, lemon sherbet and peach flavors. Comes back around to the buttery notes on the long, lingering finish. Drink now.
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.
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.