2010 Pahlmeyer Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

Pahlmeyer, in St. Helena, was founded in the mid-1980s when Jayson Pahlmeyer, a Bay Area lawyer, found he preferred thinking about wine to reading legal briefs. Pahlmeyer produced its debut vintage in 1986, and Robert M. Parker Jr. gave it 94 pts. Today the winery owns 88 acres near Atlas Peak and 30 acres on the north Sonoma Coast and and grows Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Randy Dunn was in charge of winemaking for the first few vintages and in 1993 Helen Turley became Pahlmeyer’s winemaker. Today the winemakers are Kale Anderson at the Napa Valley vineyards and Bibiana Gonzalez Rave is the consulting winemaker for the Sonoma Coast vineyards. Pahlmeyer is known for its Bordeaux-style blends as well as Chardonnay, Merlot and Pinot Noir. The wines earn consistently complimentary reviews.

Sonoma Coast AVA runs from San Pablo Bay in the south to Mendocino County in the north. It includes 7,000 vineyard acres and earned AVA status in 1987. Its proximity to the Pacific Ocean means it gets double the rainfall of nearby inland appellations and the ocean gives the appellation a relatively cool climate. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir can thrive in these conditions, and there are numerous producers making critically acclaimed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

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.