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2023 Fort Ross Fort Ross Vineyard Chenin Blanc

Removed from a subterranean wine cellar; Purchased direct from winery; Consignor is original owner

2 available
3 days LEFT
Bid *
Ends Sunday, 7pm Pacific

RATINGS

94Jeb Dunnuck

...notes of wet stone, fresh linen, fresh apples, and lemon balm...medium to full-bodied, with fantastic electric acidity, great, clean concentration, and a pure, crystalline, compact feel.

93James Suckling

A super-fresh wine with a lovely, succulent texture. Aromas of fresh pears, Meyer lemons and hints of jasmine and Marcona almonds. The palate is juicy and mouthwatering, with lime zest, yellow peaches and pineapple in the finish. Light- to medium-bodied.

91The Wine Advocate

...has expressive aromas of golden apples, apricot, chamomile, candle smoke and honey...medium-bodied palate is concentrated, pure and perfumed. Its spicy flavors are balanced by linear acidity, and it has a long, refreshing finish.

90Wine Spectator

There's wonderful purity and intensity to the lemon, Honeycrisp apple, yuzu and white grapefruit flavors, with notes of white flowers, freshly grated ginger and lemon balm. Whiffs of wildflower honey and biscuit linger.

17Jancis Robinson

Aromas of Asian pears, white flowers and grapefruit. Saline flavours of pink grapefruit and Asian pear have a wonderful brightness thanks to excellent acidity and a lovely citrus-oil sourness that makes for a mouth-watering experience.

PRODUCER

Fort Ross

Fort Ross Vineyard was established in 1988 when Lester and Linda Schwartz bought property in the coastal mountains over Fort Ross. Vineyards were planted during the 1990s while the couple, who both came from South Africa as young professionals to work in San Francisco, took winemaking and viticulture classes and learned the wine business. Today Fort Ross Vineyard includes 55 acres of vineyards and is one of the leading producers in the Ross-Seaview AVA, which was formally approved in 2011. The estate's first vintage was in 2000, and in 2009 they hired Jeff Pisoni of Pisoni Vineyards as winemaker. Robert M. Parker Jr. has noted that Fort Ross “wines are all bottled unfined and unfiltered, with the Chardonnay coming from Old Hyde and Wente field selections. The Pinot Noir is generally an assemblage of clones such as Calera, Pommard, Swan and Dijon 115 and 777. These are impressive Burgundian-style Pinot Noirs that merit serious attention.”

REGION

United States, California, Sonoma County, Fort Ross-Seaview

Sonoma County is not an AVA, but it is a commonly used informal designation for wines made outside of more specific AVAs within Sonoma, which is a large wine producing region just west of Napa Valley. Though Sonoma is often overshadowed by its glamorous neighbor Napa Valley, it has a long history of wine production. The area specialized in jug wine until the mid-20th century, when Sonoma producers took a cue from Napa and started improving quality. Unlike Napa, where Cabernet Sauvignon is king, Sonoma specialized in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, though excellent Cabs are produced too. There are at present 16 AVAs within Sonoma County, and, like much of the West Coast of the United States, new AVAs are created in Sonoma County with regularity. Some Sonoma appellations, such as the Russian River Valley, are renowned for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

TYPE

White Wine, Chenin Blanc

This light-bodied white wine grape has zest and versatility depending on its style. It is grown extensively in South Africa, where wineries produce dry wines. Traditional French Chenin Blancs are sweet. It is closest to Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc.

VINTAGE

2023 Fort Ross Fort Ross Vineyard Chenin Blanc