Chanin Named Wine & Spirits Top 100 Wineries!

2018 ‘Los Alamos Vineyard’ Chardonnay – 94 Points ‘Years Best Chardonnay’

‘Tasting Gavin Chanin’s majestic chardonnay bottling from Los Alamos is like standing on a hilltop in that vineyard and letting the sea spray imperceptibly coat your lips.  Beneath the cinnamon spice and the citrus brightness is a kind of bracing, briny green sensation, reminding one taster of Agretti, the salty springtime green that finds its way into Italian salads.  The wine is bracing and delicious, with the structure to age ten years or more.’ – P.J.C.

2018 ‘Bien Nacido Vineyard’ Chardonnay– 92 Points

‘Chanin’s 2018 Bien Nacido is slow to reveal itself; my bottle was open for four days on y kitchen counter, and each day revealed more detail.  The scents of lemon oil became brighter and more generous, the granular texture smoothed out, the tension became less of an impediment and more a driver of complex flavors.  This is built to age.’ – P.J.C

2018 ‘Bien Nacido Vineyard’ Pinot Noir– 93 Points

‘This tiny-production pinot is briary and pretty, with aromas of smoke, sea wrack and wild strawberry.  The fruit elements—strawberry and raspberry—are concentrated and framed in fine tannins; for game.’ – P.J.C

 2018 ‘Schock Family Vineyard’ Syrah- 92 Points ‘Years Best Syrah’

‘Schock Family Vineyard is just east of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, putting it on the warmer side of cool.  In 2018, it produced a smoky wine burled up like morning fog.  With air, the wine starts to open, offering lean blackberry and currant flavors framed in dusty fine-grit tannins.  Ideal for barbecued ribs.’ – P.J.C

 2018 Sonoma Coast Reserve, ‘Durell Vineyard’– 91 Points

‘The Sonoma Coast elements in this wine stand out, with scents of conifers, tea and dried flowers adorning stalwart red-cherry flavors.  Given the turfy cool climate thrust of the tannins, this seems a long way from peak expression.’ – P.J.C