Flowers 2013 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
As nursery owners in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Walt and Joan Flowers had long dreamed of combining their love of wine with their passion for agriculture. They knew they wanted to produce their favorite varietals, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir; what they didn’t know was that their path would eventually lead them across country to Northern California’s rugged Sonoma Coast. After responding to a small classified ad in a national wine publication, that’s exactly where they landed. In 1989, after many information-gathering trips to Napa and Sonoma, Walt and Joan purchased 321 acres, including a ridge top, high above the Pacific Ocean on the northern Sonoma Coast. With the same determination they drew on to build their successful nursery business; the Flowers proceeded with the dream of producing their favorite cool-climate varietals in a place they believed uniquely suited to growing them. Today, Flowers Winery produces Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from its two estate properties, Camp Meeting Ridge Vineyard and Sea View Ridge Vineyard, as well as select vineyards in the coolest regions of the Sonoma Coast AVA, which are farmed to Flowers’ specifications by their own crews.
I tasted this at a private event and bought a few bottles for my cellar. A light yellow color with aromas of young apples and citrus. The wine was barrel fermented (18%) new French oak, (62%) 1-2 year old French oak and (20%) 3 year old French oak. The resulting wine was cellared in barrels for 11 months before bottling. The palate was crisp and refreshing showing apricot and pears, with a slight hint of sweetness. The wine displayed firm acidity and slight earthy floral finish, medium plus in length. A top-notch offering not to be missed.
Cheers!
