2012 Harbison Le Bon Climat Vineyard Chardonnay

Harbison Estate in Oakville was founded in 2005 by Joe and Pat Harbison. For Joe Harbison, establishing his own winery was a culmination of a lifetime of collecting wine, studying wine, and donating wine to philanthropic causes. Harbison grew up with parents who enjoyed fine wine and entertained, and he started collecting wine as a teenager. After a stint in the navy in Europe he became a lawyer in northern California, where he often made charitable donations from his renowned cellar. In 2005 he and his wife purchased a small vineyard parcel on Oakville’s east side and began growing Cabernet Sauvignon. Jim Barbour, a legendary Napa Valley viticulturist, manages the vineyard. Russell Bevan, also a Napa Valley luminary, is winemaker. The estate produces about 75 cases a year and has earned high compliments from reviewers. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that “these incredible wines should be sought out by anyone looking for amazing, high-test. Full-throttle, pedal-to-the-metal Cabernet Sauvignons.”

Central Coast AVA is a huge wine producing area that extends from Santa Barbara County in the south to San Francisco in the north. With more than 100,000 vineyard acres, it includes parts of six counties near the Pacific Ocean. Nearly 20 smaller AVAs lie within the Central Coast AVA. Central Coast earned appellation status in 1985. Included in the appellation are parts of the counties of Contra Costa, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz. Nearly every grape varietal grown in California is grown somewhere in the Central Coast AVA, though Chardonnay accounts for nearly 50% of the entire wine grape crop.

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.