Banshee
2012 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
Chardonnay
California: Sonoma County: Sonoma Coast
Mission Briefing
The Burgundy Situation
If the holy grail of Chardonnay rests in the hallowed vineyards of France’s Burgundy, Sonoma’s coastal vineyards rank a close second in order of greatness. If value is considered, wines like Banshee’s gorgeous 2012 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay go stride for stride with dear-old (and expensive) Burgundy. Made from the prized Wente clone, there’s a lot less butter and vanilla than is found in supermarket brands, and a lot more taut, tropical, mineral-driven character. If Chardonnay is what makes you happy, but your palate fatigues when it comes to the full-blown fruit cocktail style, let Banshee’s dynamite version renew your love for the Chardonnay grape. This is a terrific deal for an absolutely delicious real deal Sonoma Coast Chardonnay.
Tasting Profile
| Look: | Straw, pale gold. |
|---|---|
| Smell: | Tropical. Pineapple, custard apple, and tangelo. Crushed stone. |
| Taste: | Layers of flavor with tropical tastes-a-plenty. Pineapple chunks, oranges, key lime, meyer lemons. Layered in the mix is an overt mineral streak that gives this a dimension of structure rarely seen in California Chardonnay. A bit of nougat, nuts, and French vanilla provide a subtle element of the exotic. |
| Finish: | Incredible balance between lusciousness and tension. It feels like ripe, classic California Chardonnay with a jolt of acidity and a chalky mineral inflection vs. soft, creamy, and sweet. Excellent ripeness without ever cloying. |
| Pairing: | Such a happy wine with food. A simple roasted chicken and caesar salad work well, but the generous tropical undertones pair up nicely with curries that aren’t too hot. Halibut. A fresh baguette and gooey cheese. Popcorn. You name it, Banshee likes it! |
What the Winery Says
- Winemaker
- Katy Wilson
- Varietal
- 100% Chardonnay Wente clone
- Vineyards
- small vineyards in Sonoma Coast AVA
- Oak
- 40% new French oak, 60% stainless steel