Vinous.com Reviews the 2012 and 2013 Wines
Josh Raynolds had great things to say about the 2012 wines as well as the first release of our 2013 wines on Vinous.com. See below for full reviews.
2013 Chanin Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noir- 93 pts
Vivid red. A wild, expansive bouquet displays dried cherry, ganja, floral oils and Indian spices, enlivened by a zesty mineral nuance. Deep, penetrating and smoky in the mouth, offering bitter cherry and dark berry flavors that brighten and gain sweetness with air. Dusty tannins build on the strikingly long finish, which strongly echoes the smoke, floral and cherry notes.
2013 Chanin Zotovich Vineyard Pinot Noir- 92 pts
Bright ruby-red. Lively, intensely perfumed aromas of red fruit liqueur, smoky minerals and potpourri. Rich, densely packed and focused, offering powerful red fruit and floral pastille flavors lifted by juicy acidity and a peppery nuance. Broad-shouldered but surprisingly lithe, showing no excess fat. Finishes with smooth, sweet, harmonious tannins that fade quickly into the wine’s juicy fruit.
2013 Chanin Duvarita Vineyard Pinot Noir- 92 pts
Bright red. Sexy aromas of black raspberry, potpourri, Indian spices and smoky minerals. Red and dark berry flavors coat the palate,with a smoky mineral quality building slowly and contributing energy. Smoothly blends sweetness and vivacity and finishes with excellent clarity and fruity persistence.
2013 Chanin Los Alamos Vineyard Pinot Noir- 92 pts
Brilliant red. Spicy raspberry and blood orange on the nose, with cinnamon, allspice and tea rose qualities gaining strength in the glass. Juicy red berry flavors show excellent lift and clarity on the seductively silky, sharply focused palate. This graceful and appealingly sweet pinot finishes with sexy floral pastille and spicecake notes and very soft tannins.
2012 Chanin Bien Nacido Vineyard Chardonnay- 93 pts
Greenish gold. Potent citrus and orchard fruit aromas are complicated by suggestions of iodine, white flowers and quinine. Taut, spicy and dry, displaying a juicy quality to its concentrated tangerine and pear flavors. Rich yet minerally and sharply focused, finishing with outstanding clarity, thrust and persistence. This nervy, lithe chardonnay, which checks in at a relatively low 13.4% alcohol, is a still a baby and really demands at least a few more years of patience.
2012 Chanin Los Alamos Vineyard Chardonnay- 92 pts
Green-tinged yellow. An intensely perfumed bouquet displays scents of yellow plum, mango, jasmine and smoky minerals. Lush, gently sweet pit and tropical fruit flavors show very good concentration, with a gingery element adding vibrancy. A sexy floral quality comes up on the long, pliant finish, which leaves a bright chalky note behind.