Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2013 Chardonnay Reserve begins more aromatically understated than its Estate peer but eventually bests it after time in the glass. The aromas are dialed up across the board, both in leesy, bready richness and oceanic, citrus-tinged refreshment. The already-incisive, broad palate is even more assertive, segueing to an expansive, three-dimensional finish. This is neck and neck with the 2012 vintage, although its additional power gives it a slight edge for me.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2013 Chardonnay Reserve is a selection of the top 11 barrels made from the estate Chardonnay after spending 10 months in barrel. It then spent another 12 months, on lees, in stainless steel, and there’s a tiny 262 cases produced. It sports a vibrant gold color as well a rich bouquet of golden fruits, citrus, toasted bread, flowers and honeysuckle. It's beautifully concentrated, has plenty of texture, good acidity and a clean finish. I love its balance and purity, and it’s going benefit from short term cellaring and keep for two decades. Want to show your Burgundy loving friends how good California Chardonnay is? Let them try this wine.
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 rugged and topographically diverse cool-climate appellation with a rich history, the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA stretches from Half Moon Bay, just south of San Francisco, to the northern border of Monterey County. Elevations range from 800 feet to upwards of 3,000 and microclimates vary substantially depending on which side of the mountains the vineyards lie; cool ocean winds and fog play an important role here. This can be a challenging region in which to grow grapes, but it is well worth the effort. Santa Cruz Mountains wines are noted for balanced acidity levels, often showing great aging potential. Wine has been made here since the 1800s, most notably from the legendary Ridge Vineyards, whose Monte Bello vineyard garners international admiration.
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the stars of this region, while Merlot and Zinfandel also perform quite well. Organic and sustainable vineyard practices are becoming increasingly common.