Wine Enthusiast rates the 2014 Chanin Wines!
2014 Los Alamos Vineyard Pinot Noir – 95 points /Editor’s choice – $50
“Gavin Chanin is expert at showing off individual vineyards, which is most evident in this bottling from a less iconic, larger site. Baked cherry, allspice, raw beef and light bay leaf show on the nose, while the palate carries ripe strawberry and a red-cherry core surrounded by zesty thyme, dill, mint and a touch of green olive. The light yet grippy texture is stunning.”
2014 Bien Nacido Vineyard Chardonnay – 95 points / Editor’s Choice – $40
Gavin Chanin’s wines manage to pack a stunning array of elements behind a veil of restraint, here showing sea salt, lemon skins, struck flint and smoked nectarine on the nose. The palate is alkaline and botanical in presentation, offering lime skin, chalk, dried butter flakes, cement and a salty acidity. The wine tastes like foggy sunshine.
2014 Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noir – 94 points / Editor’s Choice – $50
The slightest touch of wildfire kicks off the nose, followed by aromas of hibiscus, light cranberry, dried rose petal, roasted pork shank and white pepper. It’s quite light upon first sip, then a peppery intensity builds as flavors of underripe raspberry, fresh thyme and dewy oregano arise. For a lighter style of the grape, it’s a classic, and stays fresh for days.
2014 Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Chardonnay – 94 points / Cellar Selection $45
Extremely delicate on the nose, this wine from the historic vineyard shows scratched yellow grapefruit, sliced nectarine and crushed chalk aromas. The evolving palate starts daintily with cut apple and nectarine, then warms into seared peach, buttered popcorn and ripe pear flavors. A chalky, seashell-like structure and pithy texture ensure a long, interesting life. Drink 2018 through 2034.
2014 Los Alamos Vineyard Chardonnay – 94 points – $35
Light but tropical notes touch on the fluffy nose of this bottling, with papaya-laced marshmallow, pineapple meringue, lemon curd and a sea salt caramel touch. Chamomile, yellow apple skins, yellow flowers, tight mango and lots of saltiness show on the mouth-watering sip. The buttery character grows as it warms up, but it’s delicious in all temperatures.
2014 La Rinconada Vineyard Pinot Noir – 94 points – $60
Quite light in color, there is a red-cherry and strawberry base to the aroma of this bottling, which is laser-focused and redolent with scents of a morning hike through the chaparral, fresh with wild mint and sage. The palate starts round with strawberry, then tightens on cranberry and winds up on tart plum skins, all peppered with a grippy white sage spice and structure.
2014 Duvarita Vineyard Pinot Noir – 92 points – $50
Quite light in color, there is a red-cherry and strawberry base to the aroma of this bottling, which is laser-focused and redolent with scents of a morning hike through the chaparral, fresh with wild mint and sage. The palate starts round with strawberry, then tightens on cranberry and winds up on tart plum skins, all peppered with a grippy white sage spice and structure.