As avowed lovers of Burgundy, we have sought to create a white counterpoint to our Sonoma Pinot Noir since the beginning. Naturally, Chardonnay was the answer, but finding sources that met our exacting standards was harder than we hoped. Finally in 2012, we found a selection of Sonoma Coast vineyard sites that would yield the type of refined, yet friendly Chardonnay, for which we were searching to fit seamlessly into the rest of the Banshee lineup.

Banshee Chardonnay hails from five vineyards all within the confines of the Sonoma Coast AVA. Much like with our Pinot Noir, we were drawn to hillside sites that are cool and generally later ripening. We are fortunate to have a variety of clonal selections in our blocks, including some own-rooted “Old Wente” clone material.

This wine is a study in the blending of styles. There was a new French oak component, but also a large element vinified entirely in stainless steel. We allowed one of the lots to undergo full malolactic fermentation and then blended it with a larger selection that did not go through malo at all.

Charming aromatically, this Chardonnay immediately hints toward Asian pear and apple flavors with an underlying cut of lemon framed by hints of Tahitian vanilla from fine grained French oak. It offers hints of more tropical flavors without ever fully realizing them and finishes with ample verve.