Big and bold this weekend, embracing some chunky wines from two of our favourite winemakers across the pond. We figure if we don't quite have the Californian sunshine yet this summer we can will it here with their wines!
2014 Hoopla Chardonnay Hoopes Vineyard California £22.99 p/b or £18.39 in a mixed case
Hoopla Chardonnay is 100% grown from vineyards in the famed Yountville appellation. The cooling air from the San Pablo Bay flows into the warm valley and allows prime growing conditions for Chardonnay. The fruit ripens slowly and evenly, giving it richnes. In addition to this a mild harvest allowed them to pick the vineyard in two sections over a two week period naturally balancing refreshing citrus and apple notes of the earlier pick with more ripe pineapple and tropical fruits of the second.
The flavor profile is bright, and crisp – like unoaked Chardonnays – while the mouthfeel is creamy and round – like other oaked counterparts. The proof is in the glass, a just right combination of heady fruit aromas, balanced, refreshing flavors and luscious finish.
2014 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Handley Cellars £24.99 p/b or £19.99 in a mixed case.
The grapes for the Handley Pinot Noir come from their Ferrington and Helluva vineyards. These two sites are located in the warmer end of Anderson Valley and contribute fleshy red fruit flavors and soft texture. This year they also added grapes froma mountaintop vineyard because of their dense dark fruit character and complexity.
The 2014 Pinot Noir has aromas of freshly baked Bing cherry pie, dried rose petal, and baking spices. With the concentrated ripe fruit flavors indicative of this warm vintage, it’s juicy and full on the palate with black cherry, raspberry, and sour plum, with hints of violets and nutmeg. The finish is long and lingering punctuated by bright acidity.
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