Sommelier Journal on Chanin Wine Co.

Randy Caparoso is one of the most respected sommeliers in the United States. Check out what he had to say about Chanin wines in the Sommelier Journal.

“Working out of the Au Bon Climat-Qupé compound in Santa Maria Valley, wunderkind winemaker Gavin Chanin has been picking early for higher acidity and using wild-yeast fermentation to maximize individual vineyard expression. He’s been able to maintain that style even through the temperature variations of recent vintages like 2008 (a consistently cold year, producing elegant, feminine wines) and 2009 (with massive heat spikes resulting in some big, masculine wines). Cases in point: the crisp, floral, gravel-pit-toned 2008 Chanin Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard ($30) and the equally restrained, compact, sharply defined 2009 Chardonnay Los Alamos Vineyard ($30). Even more impressive, the 2009 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard ($45) is amazingly pure and harmonious—strawberry preserves inundated with spice—despite its chewy tannins.” —Randy Caparoso