Windvane | Chardonnay – NV

Detailed Description

The nose opens up with creamy ripe peach and pineapple with a hint of brioche. The fruit intensifies on mouth adding apricot and a touch of citrus. In the background is sweet toasty oak that serves to support the fruit, and the crisp acidity finishes out with some mineral at the very end.

Reviews:

• Wine Advocate: It has notes of lemon pie, pink grapefruit and green mango with touches of honeyed toast and allspice. Medium-bodied, the palate is understated and savory, with a good amount of citrus fruit and spice notes, finishing long and lively.

• Wine Enthusiast: This new offering from the sparkling wine producer reveals strongly crafted layers of creamy apple pie, crème brûlée and toasty oak flavors. Made in a full-bodied, concentrated style, it doesn’t hold back on its spicy acidity and lemony finish.

Producer Information

WindVane was created as an homage to the wind that contributes to the unique character of the wines of Western Carneros. After working with the same vineyards for years, winemaker Steven Urberg was intrigued by some of the windiest vineyard blocks on the estate. The wines coming from these wind-blown vines are concentrated with great depth of fruit and a generous mouthfeel. WindVane is selected from the most expressive parcels throughout their 335 acres of estate vineyards in the Carneros region of Northern California. Their unique property has an East facing exposure with a mountain range directly alongside the West side of the vineyards. The mountains provide altitude, shallow rocky soils, shade from the intense afternoon sun and they also serve to funnel the intense Pacific Coast breezes directly onto the vineyards. They select vines from the steepest, rockiest areas of the vineyards where the soils are very thin and the vines are challenged throughout the growing season. They face the natural elements of a cooler marine layer in the mornings and afternoons, and intense wind which results in small crops of very slow ripening fruit that produce intense character.