2012 Ceritas Chardonnay Pinnacle Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 2012 Chardonnay Pinnacle Vineyard is bright, focused and lively, with notable precision throughout. White orchard fruit, jasmine and pear notes are all super-expressive in a Chardonnay that reveals a highly distinctive, aromatic personality with almost exotic Muscat/Sauvignon-like floral overtones that are, needless to say, not common in Chardonnay.
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Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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(made from 44-year-old vines; all Wente clone on AXR rootstock): Pale gold. Pungent mineral- and herb-accented citrus and orchard fruit aromas, with a hint of ginger in the background. Fleshy but dry, offering bitter lemon pith and quince flavors that put on weight with air. Distinctly dry and tight on the finish, with the mineral and herb notes echoing. This nervy wine made me think of Sancerre, followed by Chablis, then both at the same time.
An addition to the range, the 2012 Chardonnay Pinnacle Vineyard emerges from a 2.5 acre parcel of head-trained vineyards planted in 1971 by Peter Martin Ray's family. Pliant, generous and expressive, the 2012 wraps around the palate with gorgeous depth and pure resonance. This is a richer style than the Peter Martin Ray, with more mid-palate presence, depth and overtness, but all backed up by Santa Cruz Mountains minerality. Sweet floral notes wrap around the textured finish.
About the producer
Created in 2005 by John Raytek, Ceritas is one of California’s most exciting producers. The project is focused on making single-site wines from Northern California’s coastal regions, largely Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.