Dec 30, 2022
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WindRacer Wines
| Owner(s) | Barbara Banke, Peggy Furth |
| Web site | www.windracerwines.com |
| Link to this site |
A partnership between good friends Barbara Banke (Kendall-Jackson) and Peggy Furth (Chalk Hill) producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley and Anderson Valley.
The small production is highly allocated and sold through a mailing list.
Articles About WindRacer Wines
Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival (9.26 6/23/2013)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Chardonnay (11.2 4/18/2017)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Wines (11.3 5/6/2017)
Sips of Recently Tasted Chardonnay (10.29 4/22/2016)
Sips of Recently Tasted Pinot Noir (10.30 5/11/2016)
Reviewed Wines
2014 WindRacer Anderson Valley Chardonnay
13.5% alc., $40.
·
Moderately light golden yellow color in the
glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of lemon, spiced apple, nut oil, buttery brioche as well as notes of salinity
and steeliness. Slightly viscous on the palate, with flavors of apple, lemon zest, custard and buttered toast.
Nicely balanced, with an uplifting backbone of citrus-infused acidity, finishing with a bit of length. Still fine the
following day when tasted from a previously opened and re-corked bottle.
Score: 91.
Reviewed April 19, 2017
ARTICLE »
2014 WindRacer Russian River Valley Chardonnay
14.5% alc., $40. Clones 4 and 76 from Kelli Ann
Vineyard. A mix of older and new blocks that replaced previously planted Pinot Noir. Gentle whole cluster
pressed and fermented and aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 20% new.
·
Moderate golden yellow color in
the glass. Subtle aromas of yellow apple, pear and melon are infused with the scent of beach sand. Somewhat
reserved with more apple than citrus flavor and a touch of spice. The fruit is well-ripened but not tropical in
character. Plush in the mouth with a thread of well-paced oak in the background, finishing on a lemon-lime
note. A hint of alcoholic warmth peaks out as the wine warms in the glass.
Score: 89.
Reviewed April 19, 2017
ARTICLE »
2014 Wind Racer Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $50. Sourced from Maggy Hawk Estate Vineyard.
Clones 777, 115 and 2A. 100% de-stemmed with 70% remaining whole berries, 5-day cold soak, inoculated
and native malolactic fermentation. Fermented in open tanks with daily punch downs. Aged 15 months in
French oak barrels, 39% new.
·
Moderately dark ruby red color in the glass. Aromas of strawberry, cherry, baking
spices and sandalwood maintain over time in the glass. Mid weight plus in style, with deep flavors of cherry,
blueberry and tobacco. Impressive attack, follow through and finish with tame tannins and the right touch of
oak. Even better the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle.
Score: 91.
Reviewed May 7, 2017
ARTICLE »
2014 Wind Racer Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $50. Sourced from Piner Vineyard, originally
planted in 1996 to a mix of clones. Located in West Santa Rosa in a slightly cooler area that receives lingering
fog. Well-drained Huichica loam soils. Clones 115, Pommard, 23, 2A and 777. 100% de-stemmed, 70% whole
berries retained, 3 to 5-day cold soak, inoculated and native malolactic fermentation. Aged 16 months in
French oak barrels, 35% new.
·
Moderate ruby red color in the glass. Vibrant aromas of Bing cherry, bay leaf,
and fertile earth. Modest in weight, with an earth-toned flavor of black cherry. Silky in the mouth, with an oak
driven riff of dark chocolate and noticeable length on the finish. Still solid when tasted the following day from a
previously opened and re-corked bottle.
Score: 90.
Reviewed May 7, 2017
ARTICLE »
2012 Wind Racer Anderson Valley Chardonnay
13.8% alc., $40. Robert Young clone (17). Aged 14 months
on the lees with frequent stirring in French oak barrels, 26% new.
·
Moderate golden yellow color and clear in the
glass. The nose opens with some reductive aromas of sulfur and flint, improving over time in the glass although
no fruit shows up. Better on the palate, with flavors of lemon, peach, caramel and crème brûlée. Soft and
slightly viscous, with a moderately long and chalky-textured finish.
Score: 88.
Reviewed April 22, 2016
ARTICLE »
2012 Wind Racer Russian River Valley Chardonnay
14.6% alc., $40. Clones 809 and Wente 4. Aged 14
months on the lees with frequent stirring in French oak barrels, 28% new.
·
Moderate golden yellow color and
clear in the glass. The nose offers aromas of apple core, nori, lemon, yeast and gardenia. Soft on the palate
with integrated, sound acidity, offering flavors of lemon-lime and briny apple. Lacks the lusciousness we have
come to expect from Russian River Valley Chardonnay, seemingly even a bit faded as the wine is now four
years old.
Score: 87.
Reviewed April 22, 2016
ARTICLE »
2012 Wind Racer Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 1,007 cases, $50.
·
Moderate reddish purple color
in the glass. The nose picks up intensity over time in the glass, offering scents of very ripe black raspberry,
ollaliberry and plum with a subtle mushroom note. Lush on the palate, with copious amounts of purple and
black fruits accented with hints of pennyroyal, smoke, tar and vanilla. A ripe, bold style wine with tucked in
tannins, good juiciness and some finishing generosity. A fine wine but the fruit really pushes the ripeness
envelope.
Score: 89.
Reviewed May 11, 2016
ARTICLE »
2012 Wind Racer Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 1,527 cases, $50.
·
Moderately dark reddish
purple color in the glass. Aromas of ripe Bing cherry and dark strawberry leap from the glass. Full-bodied on
the palate, with flavors of black cherry and cola. Silky and smooth with balanced tannins and a modest finish.
This wine sports the luscious fruit typical of the Russian River Valley, but lacks the juiciness of the Anderson
Valley bottling.
Score: 89.
Reviewed May 11, 2016
ARTICLE »
2009 Wind Racer Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., 246 cases, $50. Released fall 2012. Clones 667,
777 and Wädenswil. !00% de-stemmed, 70% whole berries, 5-day cold soak. Aged 15 months in 34% new
French oak barrels.
·
Medium reddish-purple hue in the glass. A richly concentrated wine featuring aromas and
flavors of black cherries and black raspberries with a hint of herbs and oak. Impressive finishing length. This
wine will find fans looking for powerful fruit flavors. Very good.
Reviewed June 23, 2013
ARTICLE »
2007 Wind Racer Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., $49.
·
Medium reddish-purple color in the glass.
Highly perfumed with aromas of black cherries, strawberries and sandalwood. Flavors of cherry, strawberry
and rhubarb pie with a hint of mocha and cola in the background which enhance the appeal. Very lovely fruit
with a delicate, but persistent oak-tinged finish. Soft and silky in the mouth and quite charming. More Russian
River Valley than Anderson Valley in character due to the degree of ripeness and flavor profile. Very good.
Reviewed February 22, 2012
ARTICLE »
2007 Wind Racer Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $49.
·
Moderate reddish-purple color in the
glass. Pleasant, but demure, aromas of black cherries and subtle oak becoming more fruity over time in the
glass. Medium weight flavor of cherry tart with supporting oak. The wine has a silky richness that Russian
River Valley Pinot Noir is known for. The tannins are restrained, the whole package is nicely balanced and the
wine is very drinkable now. Very good.
Reviewed February 22, 2012
ARTICLE »
2014 WindRacer Anderson Valley Chardonnay
13.5% alc., $40. · Moderately light golden yellow color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of lemon, spiced apple, nut oil, buttery brioche as well as notes of salinity and steeliness. Slightly viscous on the palate, with flavors of apple, lemon zest, custard and buttered toast. Nicely balanced, with an uplifting backbone of citrus-infused acidity, finishing with a bit of length. Still fine the following day when tasted from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 91. Reviewed April 19, 2017 ARTICLE »
2014 WindRacer Russian River Valley Chardonnay
14.5% alc., $40. Clones 4 and 76 from Kelli Ann Vineyard. A mix of older and new blocks that replaced previously planted Pinot Noir. Gentle whole cluster pressed and fermented and aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 20% new. · Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. Subtle aromas of yellow apple, pear and melon are infused with the scent of beach sand. Somewhat reserved with more apple than citrus flavor and a touch of spice. The fruit is well-ripened but not tropical in character. Plush in the mouth with a thread of well-paced oak in the background, finishing on a lemon-lime note. A hint of alcoholic warmth peaks out as the wine warms in the glass. Score: 89. Reviewed April 19, 2017 ARTICLE »
2014 Wind Racer Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $50. Sourced from Maggy Hawk Estate Vineyard. Clones 777, 115 and 2A. 100% de-stemmed with 70% remaining whole berries, 5-day cold soak, inoculated and native malolactic fermentation. Fermented in open tanks with daily punch downs. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 39% new. · Moderately dark ruby red color in the glass. Aromas of strawberry, cherry, baking spices and sandalwood maintain over time in the glass. Mid weight plus in style, with deep flavors of cherry, blueberry and tobacco. Impressive attack, follow through and finish with tame tannins and the right touch of oak. Even better the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 91. Reviewed May 7, 2017 ARTICLE »
2014 Wind Racer Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $50. Sourced from Piner Vineyard, originally planted in 1996 to a mix of clones. Located in West Santa Rosa in a slightly cooler area that receives lingering fog. Well-drained Huichica loam soils. Clones 115, Pommard, 23, 2A and 777. 100% de-stemmed, 70% whole berries retained, 3 to 5-day cold soak, inoculated and native malolactic fermentation. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 35% new. · Moderate ruby red color in the glass. Vibrant aromas of Bing cherry, bay leaf, and fertile earth. Modest in weight, with an earth-toned flavor of black cherry. Silky in the mouth, with an oak driven riff of dark chocolate and noticeable length on the finish. Still solid when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 90. Reviewed May 7, 2017 ARTICLE »
2012 Wind Racer Anderson Valley Chardonnay
13.8% alc., $40. Robert Young clone (17). Aged 14 months on the lees with frequent stirring in French oak barrels, 26% new. · Moderate golden yellow color and clear in the glass. The nose opens with some reductive aromas of sulfur and flint, improving over time in the glass although no fruit shows up. Better on the palate, with flavors of lemon, peach, caramel and crème brûlée. Soft and slightly viscous, with a moderately long and chalky-textured finish. Score: 88. Reviewed April 22, 2016 ARTICLE »
2012 Wind Racer Russian River Valley Chardonnay
14.6% alc., $40. Clones 809 and Wente 4. Aged 14 months on the lees with frequent stirring in French oak barrels, 28% new. · Moderate golden yellow color and clear in the glass. The nose offers aromas of apple core, nori, lemon, yeast and gardenia. Soft on the palate with integrated, sound acidity, offering flavors of lemon-lime and briny apple. Lacks the lusciousness we have come to expect from Russian River Valley Chardonnay, seemingly even a bit faded as the wine is now four years old. Score: 87. Reviewed April 22, 2016 ARTICLE »
2012 Wind Racer Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 1,007 cases, $50. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The nose picks up intensity over time in the glass, offering scents of very ripe black raspberry, ollaliberry and plum with a subtle mushroom note. Lush on the palate, with copious amounts of purple and black fruits accented with hints of pennyroyal, smoke, tar and vanilla. A ripe, bold style wine with tucked in tannins, good juiciness and some finishing generosity. A fine wine but the fruit really pushes the ripeness envelope. Score: 89. Reviewed May 11, 2016 ARTICLE »
2012 Wind Racer Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 1,527 cases, $50. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of ripe Bing cherry and dark strawberry leap from the glass. Full-bodied on the palate, with flavors of black cherry and cola. Silky and smooth with balanced tannins and a modest finish. This wine sports the luscious fruit typical of the Russian River Valley, but lacks the juiciness of the Anderson Valley bottling. Score: 89. Reviewed May 11, 2016 ARTICLE »
2009 Wind Racer Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., 246 cases, $50. Released fall 2012. Clones 667, 777 and Wädenswil. !00% de-stemmed, 70% whole berries, 5-day cold soak. Aged 15 months in 34% new French oak barrels. · Medium reddish-purple hue in the glass. A richly concentrated wine featuring aromas and flavors of black cherries and black raspberries with a hint of herbs and oak. Impressive finishing length. This wine will find fans looking for powerful fruit flavors. Very good. Reviewed June 23, 2013 ARTICLE »
2007 Wind Racer Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., $49. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Highly perfumed with aromas of black cherries, strawberries and sandalwood. Flavors of cherry, strawberry and rhubarb pie with a hint of mocha and cola in the background which enhance the appeal. Very lovely fruit with a delicate, but persistent oak-tinged finish. Soft and silky in the mouth and quite charming. More Russian River Valley than Anderson Valley in character due to the degree of ripeness and flavor profile. Very good. Reviewed February 22, 2012 ARTICLE »
2007 Wind Racer Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $49. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Pleasant, but demure, aromas of black cherries and subtle oak becoming more fruity over time in the glass. Medium weight flavor of cherry tart with supporting oak. The wine has a silky richness that Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is known for. The tannins are restrained, the whole package is nicely balanced and the wine is very drinkable now. Very good. Reviewed February 22, 2012 ARTICLE »