The Nightwing Chardonnay, which I have reviewed favorably for several vintages, again nails something unusual – a Chardonnay that encompasses all the best of Chardonnay from everywhere – great acidity, expressive fruit, tactile mouth feel, pure pleasure, and lastly, a great food companion. You’ll notice lemon meringue, apricot, white peach, Asian pear, blood orange, a whisper of butterscotch and resin, and lime kefir. Keeping the fruit lively the wine was barrel fermented, aged on the lees for 10 months and only used 23% new French oak. The use of five different Chardonnay clone allows for a breadth of flavor. As winemaker Heidi Bridenhagen says, “This Chardonnay has amazing energy and structure, gorgeous aromas and lavish flavors.” She’s not wrong. 119 cases. ORIGIN: Petaluma Gap, Sonoma County. ALCOHOL: 14.6%
