Winemaker Notes
At elevations ranging from 1,400 to 3,000 feet and located at the base of Mount Konocti, once an active volcano, the Red Hills AVA features rolling hills, red volcanic soils, and a lake effect breeze from Clear Lake, one of North America’s oldest natural lakes.
Lush flavors of melon and citrus combined with lightly toasted oak complete this Chardonnay.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Delicious floral and fruity aromas lead to mouthcoating fruit and honey flavors in this medium- to full-bodied wine. There is little oakiness to intrude on the gushing, generous apple, pear and peach nuances.
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.