Pahlmeyer’s 2012 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast surprised me with the amount of oak that was showing. Normally, this winery has the Midas touch marrying oak with fruit, but this offering revealed slightly more butterscotch and vanillin than are usually found in young vintages. Once past that, the wine exhibits plenty of honeysuckle, ripe apricot and peach notes in a tropical, intense, exotic style. This somewhat eccentric, oaky Chardonnay should be consumed over the next 4-6 years. Completely sourced from the Ritchie Vineyard, the wine was aged in 85% new French oak for 11 months.

Intense, with pure, rich, vivid pear, apricot, apple and spice notes that take on a cedar and hazelnut edge on the finish, gaining length and depth. Ends with a burst of anise and smoke. Drink now through 2020. 1,400 cases made.??–JL??Region: California / Sonoma / Sonoma Coast Select to Add