Vineyard: Chalone Estate

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Recently Tasted Pinot Noir & Chardonnay (10.46 1/15/2017)
Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir (10.43 11/30/2016)
Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (11.38 2/2/2019)

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Windy Oaks Estate Vineyards & Winery
Chalone Vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2015 Chalone Vineyard Heritage Vines Estate Grown Chalone Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., 1,500 cases, $35. Vineyard is located at 1,800 feet near the Pinnacles National Park within Monterey County. Soils are sparse and underlain with limestone. Aged in French oak barrels. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Brooding aromas aromas of blackberry jam, raisin, and cola. There is some apple core aroma initially (volatile acidity) that blows off in the glass. More agreeable on the palate, with full-bodied flavors of blackberry, black current and boysenberry with a hint of flower blossom. The texture is wholesome, the tannins are modest, oak is well integrated, and the wine flows nicely. Score: 89. Reviewed February 3, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Windy Oaks Old Vine Chalone Mt. Harlan Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., pH 3.45, TA 0.68, 48 cases, $65. These sourced old vine grapes were crushed, fermented, aged and bottled at Windy Oaks Estate. Dick Graff took over Chalone Vineyard in the Gavilan Mountains in the mid 1960s. The vines had been originally planted by a Frenchman in 1919. Graff nursed the vines back to health and planted new vines. This bottling is the result of a small allocation from Graff’s early plantings. Partial native fermentation, 50% whole cluster, aged 21 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Light cherry red color in the glass. Complex aromatic gifts including black cherry, sous-bois, briar, spice and nutty oak, reaching more heights with time in the glass. A connoisseur’s wine that is not propelled by rich fruit but rather by nuance and complexity. Mid weight flavors of cherry, red berry and spice are surprisingly intense considering the light color of the wine. Elegantly crafted and perfectly balanced, with fine grain tannins, juicy acidity, and an astonishingly long, orgasmic finish. This wine brought back memories of my encounter with a 1990 DRC Romanée-Conti wine many years ago. Not a powerhouse, but like an angel that is heaven sent. Score: 97. Reviewed December 1, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Chalone Vineyards Estate Grown Heritage Vines Chalone Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 2,836 cases, $26. Vineyard is at 1800 feet elevation near the Pinnacles National Park. Reddish soil underlain with limestone. Aged in French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Very ripe fruited, featuring dried plum and black cherry essence accented with vanilla, floral and apple core notes on the nose. Welcome mid palate intensity and plushness, featuring highly ripened dark stone and berry fruits with a floral and oaky thread in the background. Sappy, with balanced tannins and some finish. I expected more from heritage vines. Score: 85. Reviewed January 16, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »