- WINERY Athair
- GRAPE Chardonnay
- YEAR 2008
- COUNTRY United States
- REGION Russian River Valley
This Chardonnay comes mostly from a single vineyard in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley, where cooler temperatures yield crisper whites.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Athair is a tiny side project of moonlighting winemaker and Sonoma native Jim McMahon. Formerly the assistant winemaker at Kenwood, a well-known Sonoma winery, McMahon is now in charge of winemaking at Luna, a boutique Napa estate known for its Cabernet. But on his own time, McMahon stays true to his roots, making four smalllot wines from stellar Sonoma vineyards. Almost all the grapes for this creamy Chardonnay come from Saralee’s Vineyard, a prime site in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley where morning fogs protect grapes from hot summer days and keep Chardonnay’s richness in check.
SMELL IT
Vanilla-edged aromas of nectarine and pineapple.
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TASTE IT
Rich melon flavors are creamy and full, with buttered-toast notes.
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