Grape-Nutz.com weighs in on balance

Ken Zinns of Grape Nutz wrote a great report on the 2012 In Persuit of Balance tasting.

“Of the wines I was able to taste, my favorite producers of the day included Ceritas, Chanin, Copain, Lioco, Ojai, Peay, Tyler, and Wind Gap, with several others not far behind. There were really so many excellent wines on display at the IPOB tasting that an unusually high percentage of the producers and individual wines could be included among my favorites – this was as impressive a tasting as I’ve attended in years”.

Chanin Wine Company
Chanin 2009 Chardonnay, Los Alamos Vineyard, Santa Barbara County.
Light color, bright aromas of stone fruits, with notes of lees and spice. Medium-light bodied, with very lively acidity and a long, clean finish, nice.
 Chanin 2009 Chardonnay, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley. Showing more apple and pear on the nose along with lees, earth, and a bigger component of baking spices. Moderately rich on the palate, with good structure and texture, nice.
 Chanin 2009 Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley. From 113 and 777 clones. Medium color, displaying minerally plum and tea leaf aromas, along with a slight tomato note. Lively mouthfeel and finish.
 Chanin 2010 Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley. From 667 clone. More shy on the nose than the 2009, this showed brighter black cherry fruit and dried herbs on the nose. Medium-bodied with great acidity and a long finish. This needs more time in the bottle but has very good potential.

Comments: A good showing for Gavin Chanin’s wines – I particularly liked the Chardonnays.