Growing Conditions
Called “one of the great Grand Cru Chardonnay sites in California” by Robert Parker, the Charles Heintz Vineyard sits upon a ridgetop along the rocky Sonoma County coastline. The 30-year-old vines, planted on the desirable Gold Ridge Sandy Loam top-soils, ripen slowly, cooled each evening by the fog that rolls in from the nearby Pacific ocean. This slow, even ripening process results in beautifully balanced wines with fully developed flavors and fresh acidity. The vineyard site has been in the Heintz family for over 100 years, and since its planting in 1982 has become a name synonomous with the best of California Chardonnay.
2014 was an excellent vintage for Sonoma winemaking, the third consecutive such vintage, following the stunning successes of both 2012 and 2013. Despite a regional drought, significant rains in February and March gave the vineyards a healthy soaking, and set up the vines for early budbreak. A mild spring and “perfect” summer temperatures brought grapes to optimum ripeness before an early harvest. The resulting wines show intense aromatics and complex fruit character.
Winemaking
The 2014 Amici Cellars Charles Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay is a gracefully balanced wine that combines the richness and intensity of perfectly ripened old vine fruit with the structure and acidity of great Sonoma Coast winegrowing.
This wine opens with inviting aromas of deep stone fruit, roasted almonds and cashews leading to notes of cardamom, nutmeg and shortbread. The richness of lemon oil coats the palate and melds with flavors of pineapple, peach, Meyer lemon, and baking spice. This is a full-bodied, beautifully balanced chardonnay of great complexity, with a long, mineral stone finish and a lively acidity that is classic Heintz Vineyard.
Aging
100% barrel fermented in 50% new French oak barrels
