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
Rich and full-bodied, packed with dark fruit flavors of blackberry, ripe plum, and dark cherry. Notes of cocoa, cedar, and warm spice add complexity, while firm tannins and a touch of volcanic minerality reflect the bold characteristics of Calistoga’s terroir. Full-bodied in texture, and remarkably velvety. The tannins gracefully interweave, establishing a flawless equilibrium of acidity and pleasing fruit.
92 Points
Deep floral notes (violets), blackberry, black cherry, and cassis. Driven by the mountain's steep, cool-climate terroir, it balances rich notes of blackberry and pomegranate seamlessly intertwined with dark plum, cocoa dust, and roasted mocha, hints of roasted mocha and spice undertones add depth to its complex profile, culminating in a bold, yet elegant finish.
95 Points
This stellar Napa Valley Red Blend marries lush plum and cherry with Malbec's dark berry depth and Petit Verdot's structure and spice. Layered with notes of blackberry, violet, and cocoa, this silky wine finishes with smooth tannins and a whisper of toasted oak. Robust and mouth-filling, with spicy nuances, smooth tannins, firm structure, and a long lingering finish.
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