This weekend I attended the 2012 Chardonnay Symposium'sGrand Tasting at
Byron Winery & Vineyards in the Santa Maria Valley Santa
Maria sponsored by Wine Enthusiast Magazine and
Byron. It's unique in its total devotion to Chardonnay. For a nice synopsis of
the event and what makes it special, check out this blog
post from Steve Heimoff.
The grand tasting was held outside at Byron. It's nice being
outdoors on a cool and beautifully bright sunny afternoon, overlooking the
valley and sipping Chardonnay. However aromas were fleeting as a whipping wind
made tasting conditions a challenge at certain tables.
It was a small drawback though. Overall there were many
examples of finely balanced and lively California
Chardonnay- mostly Central Coast (HELLO Wine Spectator!) with a few choice North Coast
From Block 11, originally planted to Chardonnay for Bob
Linquist of Qupé for its sun exposure, low yields and shallow well-drained
soils. La Fenêtre's Block 11 comes is a special selection of top barrels. The
wine is hand-harvested and pressed into 66% new French oak barrels with 14
months on lees and 19 months total in barrel. In this I found butterscotch,
lime and floral notes. Big fruit on the palate with integrated depth of earth
and spice. Full finish. Very nice.
Newly released special bottling for ABC's 30th anniversary.
Vineyard blend featuring top barrel lots. Notes of butterscotch, lees,
floral and lime. Complex and dense with nice feel and weight. Mostly spice on a
full finish. Very nice but needs time.
Library wine poured from magnum. From Qupé's Block 11 at
Bien Nacido (see La Fenêtre note above). Expressive- nice apple and lemon
creme notes on the bouquet. Nicely layered flavors of mineral, caramel, citrus,
melon and spice. Rich on the palate with a fine feel and full finish. Drinking
well at age 13.
Hand-harvested and aged sur lie for 16 months in 21% new
French oak barrels. Bottled unfiltered. Creamy, citrus & mineral
bouquet. Palate of crisp lime/lemon/orange with leesy richness and baking
spice. Silky medium weight with great depth and a long finish. Excellent.
Also from Oliver's Vineyard. Slightly earlier harvest, aged
11 months in 25% new French oak barrel. Expressive slate, lime and ashy
earth. Bright and pure on the palate with orange & lime with flourishes of
spice and mineral. Showing well all around with good feel, depth and
finish.
Estate grown. 44% new French oak. Lees-spice and
frommage notes lead on the bouquet. Bright citrus and melon fruit comes out on
the palate with vanilla and gingerbread. Nicely balanced with a fine weight and
full finish. Very nice.
Estate grown mountain-top vineyard in the far Sonoma Coast
Flinty lees with subtle citrus & stone fruit and accents
of spice throughout. Nicely weighted and balanced with a medium + finish. A
little dense- should unfold with time. Very nice.
Aromatic with forward lime and mineral. Expressive palate
with nuanced citrus and spice. Open, complex and pure in flavor. Full weight
and finish. Very nice.
Vineyard blend, stainless steel fermented. Creamy
lemon and river rock notes accented with leesy lime and orange zest on the
palate. Nice weight and texture on the palate. Good secondary depth and full
finish. Very nice.
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