Normally, the color of a wine is not a huge marker, unless it’s very wrong, or very compelling. Here it is compelling. Winemaker Ettore Biraghi
first made his mark with winemaking in Switzerland, one of the most underappreciated wine countries in the world. But Ettore eventually found Mendocino and decided this was the ideal place to make wine. In 2019 the first wines were released. In 2020, all his portfolio of wines were made available. The 2018 Reserve starts with a vibrant color, one not usually associated with chardonnay. It offers notes of resin, light guava, white peach, honey, soft lime kefir, apricot, butterscotch and a solid acidity. Aged 18 months in French oak, it doesn’t taste like that and eschews a traditional California buttery chardonnay for a lighter style. Both the vineyards and winery itself are certified organic, which scores additional points for this unique California expression.
160 cases
ORIGIN: Mendocino, California
ALCOHOL: 13.5%
PRICE: $54.99 (750 ml)
SCORE: 92 POINTS
