Winemaker Notes
Aromas of white peach and Bartlett pears balance the intriguing flavors of citrus, toasted vanilla and Cre`me Bru^le´e.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This nicely polished and full-bodied wine tastes ripe but has lively acidity to keep it balanced. Tangy citrus notes blend with subtle fig and minerals.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2018 Clay Shannon Chardonnay offers excellent persistence and richness on the palate. TASTING NOTES: This wine shows ripe apple and oaky notes in its aromas and flavors. It should pair famously with smoked mussels over al dente pasta. (Tasted: May 12, 2020, San Francisco, CA)
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.
Located within the greater Clear Lake appellation, the Red Hills AVA is perhaps the hottest spot right now in Lake County for new Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards. Recognizing the potential of its volcanic and obsidian heavy soils, many respected growers are flocking to the area. Andy Beckstoffer, a leader in escalating the quality and recognition of Napa Valley, has already invested heavily in the area.