Fantesca
Russian River Valley Chardonnay
Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
Creamy texture gives a silky mouthfeel to this wine. There is a good balance between crisp acidity and ripe fruit character with lemon, green apple, peach, mango and floral blossom notes on the nose and palate. It’s full bodied and almost rich in character but a lovely smoke and crushed stone quality on the long finish makes for a clean impression. Not for delicate foods, but beautiful with grilled white fish and roast chicken.
Creamy texture gives a silky mouthfeel to this wine. There is a good balance between crisp acidity and ripe fruit character with lemon, green apple, peach, mango and floral blossom notes on the nose and palate. It’s full bodied and almost rich in character but a lovely smoke and crushed stone quality on the long finish makes for a clean impression. Not for delicate foods, but beautiful with grilled white fish and roast chicken.
Dec 26th, 2020
Finally getting around to posting wines from my annual Napa trip from two weeks ago. Always goes by quick! Lots of fun new stops this year.
The Fantesca property on Spring Mtn is gorgeous, and their tasting room at the winery is stunning. Really enjoyed getting to try more of their wines.
I’m really picky on chardonnay, but this was intoxicating. It’s crazy young, but this is going to vault up the scale for me. First comparison that comes to mind is Aubert’s Larry Hyde & Sons, but with a touch less acidity (still plenty). This is supremely balanced. Honeyed stone fruits, lemon cream, and a slate/mineral note on the nose. Rich without being too dense. Vibrant. Powdered sugar lemon bar, meringue, and honey roasted cashews. This was (or may still be), the only chardonnay Heidi Barrett makes.
Finally getting around to posting wines from my annual Napa trip from two weeks ago. Always goes by quick! Lots of fun new stops this year.
The Fantesca property on Spring Mtn is gorgeous, and their tasting room at the winery is stunning. Really enjoyed getting to try more of their wines.
I’m really picky on chardonnay, but this was intoxicating. It’s crazy young, but this is going to vault up the scale for me. First comparison that comes to mind is Aubert’s Larry Hyde & Sons, but with a touch less acidity (still plenty). This is supremely balanced. Honeyed stone fruits, lemon cream, and a slate/mineral note on the nose. Rich without being too dense. Vibrant. Powdered sugar lemon bar, meringue, and honey roasted cashews. This was (or may still be), the only chardonnay Heidi Barrett makes.
One of (the only?) the only whites made by Heidi Barrett, this is a really great Chardonnay. No noticeable oak, which is my personal new requirement. Slightly sweeter than I remembered but very balanced with good acidity and minerality (I don’t care if this term is falling out of favor amongst the “experts”, as it still describes how a wine feels to me!)
One of (the only?) the only whites made by Heidi Barrett, this is a really great Chardonnay. No noticeable oak, which is my personal new requirement. Slightly sweeter than I remembered but very balanced with good acidity and minerality (I don’t care if this term is falling out of favor amongst the “experts”, as it still describes how a wine feels to me!)
Sep 27th, 2020
Heidi Barrett’s best and only Chardonnay. Incredibly balanced. Fantastic. Stone fruits and perfect acidity.
Heidi Barrett’s best and only Chardonnay. Incredibly balanced. Fantastic. Stone fruits and perfect acidity.
Mar 29th, 2020