Gold Medal - Grand Harvest Awards
California Chardonnay as taken a beating from some in the wine press over the last few years, as the once popular rich, buttery, full-bodied wines people came to expect fell out of favor. While Chardonnay can certainly be produced this way, and still is by some, Chardonnay is a wonderfully diverse grape, capable of many different styles of wine, and it really shines when made in cooler climates with a more restrained touch, allowing mineral accents and good acidity to lift the juicy fruit flavors. Sonoma’s Russian River Valley is just such a cooler climate, and is home to some wonderful Chardonnay.
Today’s Heist features Athair Winery’s 2008 Russian River Valley Chardonnay. Athair is a relatively new, small family owned operation, crafting wines from all over Sonoma County. The 2008 Chardonnay is pale straw in color, very light for a Chardonnay. The nose offers fresh pear and green apple, with just a hint of toasty oak from the 25% new wood used. While un-oaked Chardonnay is gaining in popularity, Chardonny does well with a little bit of wood to add an extra dimension of flavor. The palate is very intense, with complex flavors of apple, citrus, melon, lemon, peach and slate. This wine has great varietal character, with Chardonnay’s exuberant fruit allowed to shine, and good acidity to maintain balance and ease pairing with food. Perfect as a light summer sipper, or with milder cheese like Brie or Camembert, this is one to stock up on for the warm weather!
95 Points
Deep garnet-purple in color, it strides confidently out of the glass with notes of crushed blueberries, ripe, fresh blackberries and warm cassis plus hints of black cherry, cardamom and nutmeg. The full-bodied palate is full of crunchy black fruits. It's rich and ripe firm chewy tannins provide additional structure and complexity as you make your descent into a long and flavorful finish.
94 Points
Aromas of honey, ginger, and key lime radiate from this elegant Chardonnay. A burst of fresh citrus, lime, and star fruit enlivens the front palate upon first sip and is quickly followed by ginger and white pepper, all underscored by subtle notes of white peach and cardamom. Vibrant acidity and steely minerality give the wine excellent structure as it moves into a long, flavorful finish.
93 Points
Robust aromatics of boysenberry, blackberry, cranberry, and black cherry are the centerpiece of this wine, harmonizing with the underlying aromas of violets, sandalwood, and forest floor. The first sip opens on the palate with a rush of softness and density, and lush, savory tannins. Red berries, blackberry, and cassis envelop the tongue on the mid-palate, gently punctuated with subtle acidity followed by a long, flavorful finish.
90 Points
Aromas of cranberry, sour cherry, plum, and orange rind, complemented by hints of forest floor, pine needles, and rosemary. The wine opens with flavor of juicy red fruit supported by spicy undertones of red pepper and black tea. The freshness of its red fruit are enhanced a vibrant core of light acidity and full rich tannins all of which linger gracefully in the long finish.
94 Points
Aromas of fresh lime, verbena, and gooseberry are followed by a juicy, aromatic front palate with bright acidity that wakes up your taste buds. The heightened aromatics develop even greater complexity on the mid-palate, featuring fresh lemon and star fruit, with just a hint of green apple and mango. Gorgeous structural precision leads to a long and chiseled finish with lasting minerality.
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