2014 Chasseur Chardonnay

A wine of vivid contrasts, this intense bottling appears aggressive in the nose which delivers toasted coconut, vanilla wafer, lemon curd, roasted grain, beeswax. It settles down quickly on the palate to reveal complex layers of pretty green apple and pear fruit that integrates nicely with layers of creamy vanilla, brioche, nutmeg custard to finish with firming citric and mineral notes. Slightly less powerful than its Sonoma Coast sibling, veering down a different path where the refreshment and focus are high but everything else turns graceful and elegant yet remains weighty. Fifteen months in 60 gallon French oak barrels: 50% new from Tonnellerie Sirugue and Francoise Frere. 404 cases produced.