Fall Release Charles Heintz Vineyard Isobel Chardonnay
2008

Winemaker’s Notes

Our 2008 Isobel release is destined to be one of our very finest bottlings to date and is wonderfully evocative of this unique vineyard site. It naturally combines Californian richness with coastal structure and a real sense of Burgundian aromatic complexity. A slightly above average crop level allowed the grapes to hang on the vine into late September without building sugar ripeness too rapidly. We made an early harvest pass on the west side of the vineyard where the shallowest soils & smallest grapes are found. A week later we ventured into the eastern block at a slightly higher ripeness level with a view to blending these two components. The final blend is a 30/70% blend of these two picks, which we feel best represents the vineyard’s excellent performance in this great chardonnay vintage. Most closely similar in profile to the 2005 Isobel bottling, the wine’s immense aromatic complexity is at the heart of its greatness and I would expect the wine to develop increased nuanced richness with five to seven years in bottle.

Pale yellow straw color; opens with aromas of freshly cut grass, lemongrass and a smoky flinty edge. Deepens to roasted hazelnut, nectarine and truffle oil richness. Great thrust on the entry with perfectly ripe stone fruit flavors, wet-stone minerality and considerable weight in a dry serious style. Maintains great balance between overt richness and reserved power on the dry, precise finish. Serve no cooler than 55 degrees and drink between 2011 and 2017.

Andy Smith