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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 90.7 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 41 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Frank Murray III on 5/3/2018: I have had this bottle for a longgg time, and it's the oldest bottle (or was) of my CA chard inventory. Figured it was time to try it, to pair with some Indian food later. I just opened this so take that FWIW and in the event I don't get to retaste this later, I at least can crank out some impressions. Smoky, mineral, piercing lemon with some curd and pippin apple, anise--totally alive at 10 years and quite remarkably youthful, too. In fact, and I don't say this often, there may be too much acid to fruit. This is pretty lasered in and I'll be very keen to see how this shows. I'm even going to blind this bottle, as it's tasting unique enough that I think I can stump some of the smart palates with it....the bottle got mixed results at the table. A couple people said a young wine and so it was surprising when I said it was a decade old. Another said simple, lacking acid yet another said the acid was fine. All said, I liked the wine and thought it was holding up well for its age and it's doing well at 10 years. (1503 views) | | | Tasted by WetRock on 5/3/2018: Dinner at Basanti (Basanti): Served blind. I was WAY off here. This showed like a lean, basic Chenin Blanc to me. Like a cheaper Savennieres. Tight and lean in expression. Strong acidity. Thought I was getting lanolin on the nose but maybe that was the sheep I road in on. Impressive showing for a Chard from those vineyards ten years on in any case. I believe the James Berry Chard is the oldest vines at the site and usually gets sold to lesser producers. (1589 views) | | | Tasted by markcic on 10/8/2016 & rated 90 points: It has been almost a year and a half since I opened a bottle and it has lost a little of its appeal, but having said that is is still an excellent chardonnay. White flowers on the nose, the palate was pear, melon and green apple, a touch of oak on the finish. I served it with a dish of sauteed shrimp with Pad Thai Noodles and greens. A perfect accompaniment. (1559 views) | | | Tasted by blanquito on 6/10/2016 & rated 91 points: This is really killer on a hot, summer night and a great pairing with grilled salmon. The profile is at first lemony, but with more richness on the backend with a touch of vanilla. Some chaulky texture. Smooth, classy, long, tangy, lovely. Stylistically this is Californian first but with some French sensibilities and a mercifully restrained oak treatment. All it lacks is complexity. 91-92 pts. (2268 views) | | | Tasted by FLI on 8/3/2015 & rated 89 points: Rich mouthfeel, without feeling "buttery" or over-oaked. Somewhere between the crisp minerality of a Chablis and the heaviness of a big Cali chard. Was best when first opened - developed some rough edges later in the evening. (2056 views) | | | Tasted by markcic on 6/21/2015 & rated 92 points: consistent with my previous notes on 5/2 (1172 views) | | | Tasted by markcic on 5/2/2015 & rated 92 points: Really nice chardonnay, light yellow in color, the palate was melon, peach, nectarine, a touch of green apple and a little oak. Really nice finish. I would guess that it is in its prime drinking window and I am glad I waited and happy that I have more. (1346 views) | | | Tasted by tkinsley on 4/18/2014 & rated 93 points: Bought at the winery, surprised to find it just as good if not better than when we bought it. Still very youthful and sprightly, but with a little more depth with 5 years in the bottle. Really, really darn good with great acidity and flinty minerality--a perfect halfway between Cali and Chablis. I should have bought more! (1808 views) | | | Tasted by Tim Heaton on 11/2/2013: PnP, served non-blind over 2 nights. Absolutely stunning stuff. Vibrant, piercing aromas of sea shells, nectarine, peach, citrus spray, crunchy minerals, tangy apples and riverbed. Just a wisp of honey on the nose, but dry and very well balanced on the medium-bodied palate. Clean, long and chiseled; exceptionally pure and vibrant. I could smell this all night. very highly recommended, 12,9% abv. just brilliant, and totally at peak (2359 views) | | | Tasted by MLipton on 4/23/2013: Every bit as good as when we tried it at the winery, it had a lovely sense of fruit (lemon and quince), just a hint of butter and a freshness that comes from no new oak. Medium-light in weight, it went well with grilled sockeye. (1928 views) | | | Tasted by SonomaWilliam on 2/16/2013 & rated 92 points: A stellar chardonnay. The 'classic' note by Iasaladad must mean classic French, as you don't think classic Cali chard at <13% alc no new oak.
Was great when purchased, but like most high acid wines, a bit more bottle aging makes it even better a the acid integrates, softens, and shows even more harmony with the fruit.
For those in NorCal that dont know the Paso James Berry vineyard - this is a prized vineyard, and not inexpensive; yet to have a wine from here I didn't love.
Color: slightly cloudy. (bravo. I am f*cking loving the bravery in cloudy whites. time to follow suit.)
A few tartrates fell out after 1/2 bottle spent the night in the fridge. (bravo again.)
Nose: Meyer lemon peel. Lemon custard. hint of white grapefruit. Starfruit.
On The Palate: The front palate is is all things lemon, intermingled with tropical fruit undertones.
The mid palate, while bright, with some juicy-ness, has good weight & texture.
The finish is pleasing, apple, citrus and baked lemon tart.
quite sad this was my only bottle. must cellar more of current vintage. (2189 views) | | | Tasted by Isalasdad on 1/29/2013 & rated 91 points: Smooth, classic Chardonnay flavor with notes of apple and butter. (1964 views) | | | Tasted by Tim Heaton on 12/21/2012: I'm in love with this bottling. Sliced apples, quince paste, crushed rocks, seashells, a hint of baking bread. So, so fresh on the palate. Definitely not for BIG Cali-Chard lovers, which is to say if you like GC Chablis, this is your wine. Light-medium straw color, medium(-) body, above-average fruit quality and complexity. Just 12,9% abv, highly recommended. I prefer this somewhat lighter style to the 2010, but just by a hair. Drink thru 2015 (1749 views) | | | Tasted by whits on 10/27/2012 & rated 89 points: cloudy, fresh Honeycrisp apples, Asian pear and white flowers on the nose, light to medium bodied, terrific acid, throughout a palate of apple, lemon and mineral, intense on the finish with tart white fruit, really nice refreshing, light white with chardonnay character and raciness (1452 views) | | | Tasted by silton on 9/21/2012 & rated 93 points: I loved this, best chard in a while and performing better than the trio consumed in 2010. (1340 views) | | | Tasted by borneman on 6/30/2012 flawed bottle: unfortunately this was slightly corked (1874 views) | | | Tasted by Tim Heaton on 4/22/2012: PnP. Cloudy, medium straw color. Well focused aromas of lemon, apple, sea-spray, fresh cut floral. I seldom drink (domestic) Chardonnay these days, and in fact, I only purchased these to have on hand for friends that enjoy domestic Chardonnay, but I would not hesitate for a moment to seek this out, in a store, or in a restaurant. At just 12,9% abv, this manages to provide the depth of fruit of a quality 1er with vibrant, natural acids offering just the right tension. The quality of the fruit is superb. highly recommended, drink thru 2017 (1684 views) | | | Tasted by Outplaying on 11/8/2011: I agree with Siltons notes. This is a nice Chardonnay with minerally lemon fruit that turns a little bit tropical as it opens and warms. Rich but still crisp and complex. I also get a little almond and salted popcorn on the finish. Really nice. Unfortunately I only bought one. (2081 views) | | | Tasted by jgrapski on 6/12/2011 & rated 93 points: My 2nd one of these. The minerality of the wine was more dominant this time around. Just beautiful. The citrus came through on the pallette as well. No oak worth mentioning. (2419 views) | | | Tasted by beezer6 on 4/7/2011 & rated 92 points: Cloudy beautiful color. Love at first sight.
Finesse driven medium yellow pear, minerals and wet gravel.
Lively acidity with great precision. A fascinating wine. Great stuff. Highly recommended for a unique Chardonnay experience.
These two World-class vineyards win again. (2282 views) | | | Tasted by Oruor on 3/31/2011: Nice chardonnay from CA. Citric on the nose, floral hints, a bit of honey. Creamy on the palate, good acidity and a mineral ending. Good wine, with some more bottle will probably improve. (2416 views) | | | Tasted by jgrapski on 3/11/2011 & rated 92 points: My first one of these. Very well made and pleasant to drink. Mineral and citrus dominate the flavor profile. A bit creamy too. (2474 views) | | | Tasted by River Rat on 12/4/2010 & rated 92 points: Popped Thanksgiving weekend but never drank. Re-corked and put in cellar until last night (a week later). The little air it got really opened up some new flavors of tropical fruit to go along with the pear and cirtus. Fuller mouth than last time we had it. Really a treat with our meatless crimini mushroom fettucini. Very well done. (2793 views) | | | Tasted by silton on 11/26/2010: Consistent with previous note. Well received by the group. (2501 views) | | | Tasted by borneman on 9/24/2010: Needs time to develop but notably long finish now with a little pepperiness at the end. (2821 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By John Gilman
View From the Cellar, Sep/Oct 2010, Issue #29, In Search of California’s New and Old Schools of Terroir
(Wind Gap “Yuen” Chardonnay (Sonoma)) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Josh Raynolds
Vinous, May/June 2010, IWC Issue #150
(Wind Gap Chardonnay Yuen James Berry and Brosseau Vineyards Central Coast) Subscribe to see review text. |  By Gary Vaynerchuk
Wine Library TV, California WIne Tasting with Some Thunder, Episode #848 (4/19/2010)
(Wind Gap Chardonnay Yuen) #2; COLOR-golden; cloudy; NOSE-pretty; walnut-almond paste; a little oak; very nutty; little apple; not the most explosive; some banana peel; PALATE-massively complex; a hair hot for me; the acidity is very fresh and focused; the acid is very aggressive; like taking a bite out of a golden Granny Smith apple; well made; the upfront fruit is pleasant and tropical (papaya, mango and pineapple); creamy and buttery; if you like Kistler and Ramey, you would like this; a hair off balance with it alcohol, but still a very good Chardonnay; RP-93; GV-91+ 91+ points |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of View From the Cellar and Vinous and Wine Library TV. (manage subscription channels) |
| Wind Gap Wineshttp://www.windgapwines.com/'> Producer website
Website "Website currently on hold" as of 20191117.
Likely due to sale.
Archives can be found at
https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.windgapwines.com/Chardonnay The Chardonnay GrapeUSAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.California2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson Central Coasthttp://www.ccwinegrowers.org/links.html
http://www.discovercaliforniawines.com/regional-wine-organizations/
http://beveragetradenetwork.com/en/btn-academy/list-of-winegrowers-association-in-central-coast-california-274.htm
Central Coast AVA Wikipedia |
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