Wind Gap Gap's Crown Vineyard (Sonoma Coast) Chardonnay, 2013

The Gap's Crown Vineyard, located in the Petaluma Gap AVA of the Sonoma Coast, is one of the best in North America for producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. The southwest facing slopes at 320 to 820 feet elevation are above the fog level, allowing maximum sun exposure in a cool maritime climate conducive to slow ripening. As witnessed in this Chardonnay, the results are spectacular.

Deep gold, bright and lovely. Scents of lemon meringue along with hazelnut and white peaches. Incredibly concentrated on the palate, almost chewable. Long, wonderful finish. This is a cool climate Chardonnay at its best with more in common with French Chablis than with buttery New World Chardonnays. It does, however, remind me of some of the fine Dijon clone Chardonnays from Oregon I have tasted recently.