Artisan Wine & Spirits® Sixto Chardonnay – 6045496180895

Notes from the Winemaker:
Wound up and pure. Mountain forest floor, Asian pear, sushi rice and river rock. Wow, just wow! Great finesse, powerful presence that lingers and a finish that doesn’t fade away.

Frenchman Hills
(100%): Frenchman Hills was planted in 1998 and is about a 30-minute drive north of the Wahluke Slope, which is one of the warmest areas in the Columbia Valley. However, Frenchman Hills Vineyard is a cooler site, partly because of its higher elevation at1650 feet. It also does not easily frost, and the limestone and broken basalt soils at the top of the vineyard were not affected by the Missoula Flood that ravaged much of Eastern Washington some 12,000 years ago. Because of the slightly cooler aspect, grapes hang longer without accumulating excessive sugar (and thus, higher alcohols) while still managing to retain beautiful acidity.

Ratings & Reviews

93 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate:
“Coming from volcanic soils and a north facing slope at 1,750 in elevation, the 2014 Chardonnay Frenchman Hills Vineyard offers terrific minerality as well as a Chablis-like style in its lemon curd and floral aromatics, medium-bodied mouthfeel, and vibrant, crisp acidity.” – Jeb Dunnuck (30th Jun 2017)

93 Points – Wine Spectator Magazine:
“Crisp, yet polished and supple, with expressive baked pear aromas and a hint of brioche that opens to crisp, elegantly layered tart apple and mineral flavors that linger. Drink now through 2021. 663 cases made.” – TF (Aug 31, 2017)

91 Points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous:
“(the last of these Chardonnays to be harvested, from vines planted on broken basalt soil at nearly 1,700 feet; done half in concrete and half in puncheons, 20% new): Full yellow. Aromatic nose offers apricot, peach, butterscotch and vanilla bean. Fat and sweet but with lovely grip on the palate and on the sneaky whiplash of a finish. Offers noteworthy breadth.” – Stephen Tanzer (Nov 2016)