Wayfarer Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Pinot Noir 2012

New Sonoma Coast releases from Pahlmeyer - limited. Cleo Pahlmeyer, daughter of Napa Valley's Jayson Pahlmeyer, came up with the idea of produce a stand-alone brand from the Wayfarer Vineyard on the Sonoma coast in 2012.  According to the St. Helena Star, "then-Pahlmeyer winemaker Helen Turley had called the property the destined 'La Tache of California,' referring to the blessed grand cru in Burgundy."  Pahlmeyer teamed up with winemaker Bibiana González Rave, formerly of Lynmar, on this project. The Star: "Indeed, the 2012 Wayfarer Vineyard Chardonnay has well-integrated oak nuances, with toastiness on the nose that expresses itself more as a complex, rich mouth feel on the palate. Pahlmeyer explained that the medium toast of the barrels used is key to maintaining balanced flavor; a heavier toast is not desired. The 2012 Wayfarer chardonnay ages in 65 percent new French oak 92 Points Antonio Galloni: "The 2012 Chardonnay Wayfarer Vineyard impresses for its energy and focus. Grapefruit, lemon oil, pears, chalk and white flowers all take shape in the glass. Today, the 2012 is a bit compact and closed in on itself, which is surprising for the year, even on the coast. This is a terrific first effort, though. There is every reason to think future vintages will be even better."

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