Winemaker Notes
Panthera Chardonnay showcases the dynamism and energy of the Russian River Valley as this wine displays both a vibrant aspect of fruit and a confident oak profile. This wine presents beautiful layers of stone fruit married with bright Asian pear, which lead to luscious notes of lemon curd developed from malolactic fermentation. The deft baseline of toasted oak introduces notes of buttered French toast and hints of crème brûlée, which are complemented by a signature backbone of acidity nurtured on the Sonoma Coast.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A luxurious, layered and creamy wine that's rich in ripe fruit and nicely balanced by citrus zest flavors and good, vivid acidity. The wine is all barrel fermented and goes through malolactic fermentation, too, which softens the mouthfeel. Golden apples, apple tart and hints of vanilla and butter.
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Wine Spectator
A rich white, with notes of butterscotch pudding, lemon curd and orange sherbet on a full, round body, plus vibrant acidity. Touches of creme anglaise, buttery shortbread and baking spices linger on the long finish, where further grace notes of orange zest and lemon blossoms emerge. Drink now. 1,119 cases made.
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 standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.