2010 Demuth Chardonnay

The 2010 Chardonnay Demuth is utterly brilliant. Bright, focused and beautifully articulated, the Demuth spins out layers of apricot and peach flavors. Floral overtones add complexity and nuance throughout. All the elements fall into place in a gracious, impeccable wine that impresses for its overall balance. The finish alone is striking. What a beautiful wine! Needles to say, this is a fabulous wine from a winery in just its second vintage.

(made from from Wente clone fruit picked at 22 Brix during the third week of October; 12.9% alcohol): Bright gold. Potent aromas of pear, minerals and iodine. Penetrating and dry, with bracing, sharply defined flavors of candied citrus fruits, pear skin and anise. Finishes sappy and fresh, with very good clarity and lingering minerality. These vines were planted 30 years ago, according to winemaker Anthony Filiberti.

The 2010 Chardonnay Demuth is utterly brilliant. Bright, focused and beautifully articulated, the Demuth spins out layers of apricot and peach flavors. Floral overtones add complexity and nuance throughout. All the elements fall into place in a gracious, impeccable wine that impresses for its overall balance. The finish alone is striking. What a beautiful wine! Needless to say, this is a fabulous wine from a winery in just its second vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020. Knez is a new project being headed by proprietor Peter Knez and winemaker Anthony Filiberti of Anthill Farms. The wines are made with native yeasts and see fairly low levels of new oak, around 30-35%, in other words, very much the same style Filiberti pursues at Anthill. Based on these three wines, it certainly appears Knez is one of the most exciting new entrants on the Sonoma Coast. It will be interesting to see where things go in the coming years, especially as Knez’s Estate vineyard in Anderson Valley comes online with the 2012 harvest. Tel. (707) 895-3494