The Carneros appellation, which straddles the Southern tip of both Napa and Sonoma, has long been known for producing excellent pinot noir and sparkling wine. While it seldom says so on the label, many of these sparkling wines contain a large proportion of chardonnay, which demonstrates that this area is capable of making wonderful chardonnay. Thanks to the cool air and fog coming off of the San Pablo Bay, Chardonnay from this region benefits from a long growing season, and develops flavors without reaching the excessive alcohol levels found in some warmer climate California Chardonnay. Today’s Heist, from Trinitas Cellars, is an excellent example of a chardonnay that is still made in the big, rich California style so many of us love, yet manages to stay balanced and fresh.
The 2009 Trinitas Cellars Reserve Chardonnay is a dark straw color. The nose offers a lovely juxtaposition of chardonnay aromas characteristic of both warmer sites, like lemon and baked apple, and cooler sites such as hay and paraffin. The palate is classic California, with apple, peach, and some toasty, buttery notes from aging in French oak barrels. This is a full-bodied wine perfect for fans looking for rich California Chardonnay at a much more reasonable price point. It will pair beautifully with lobster, pasta with cream sauce, or soft ripe cheese. A perfect white for brisk fall evenings!
Appellation: Carneros, Napa Valley
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Alcohol: 14.4%
Aging: 100% barrel fermented; sur lie aged, 100% malolactic fermentation.
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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