Fall Release Charles Heintz Vineyard Isobel Chardonnay
2007

Winemaker’s Notes

True to the vintage, our 2007 ‘Isobel’ bottling has layers of lavish fruit richness and opulence, but is underpinned by firm natural acidity that makes it a formidably intense mouthful. We made three separate harvesting passes through the vineyard in order to precisely capture the perfect ripeness of each section. The final bottling is a blend of 40% first and 30% each of the subsequent two passes. The first pass brings upfront fruit richness and natural power. The second is more subtle with complex truffle notes and underlying minerality. The final pass is taut and firm with flinty complexity and great acid length. These three components blend seamlessly to offer what we feel to be the truest expression of this great vineyard in this naturally generous vintage. In the cellar the wine took almost a full year to complete its malolactic fermentation providing an addition layer of richness, yet also freshness and vibrancy. Recent tastings of older ‘Isobel’ vintages vividly demonstrate the dramatic evolution of the wines’ flavors with three or more years in bottle. If you have patience and want to test the Heintz Vineyard’s natural truffle/hazelnut tendencies, I suggest you hold on to a bottle for a special occasion four to six years down the road.

Youthful straw color. Vivid aromas of bright citrus, cantaloupe and honeysuckle give way to exotic mango, lychee and an edge of flint. Immediately rich full and concentrated with ripe tropical fruits, honeyed lemon and smoky hazelnut. Luscious mid-palate in the style of the vintage but the prominent acid backbone brings length and focus to the back end. Drink between release and 2014. The truffle oil and hazelnut notes will significantly increase after three years in bottle as the primary fruit recedes and the unique vineyard character more fully emerges. Serve no cooler than 55 degrees.

Andy Smith