Hestan Vineyards Chardonnay
Wine Spectator, July 31, 2008
Hestan Chardonnay is the only white wine that Napa Cabernet specialist Mark Herold makes. He utilizes an unlikely grape source—a 2-acre vineyard planted outside the headquarters of Hestan owner Stanley Cheng's other business: Meyer Corp., a global cookware company based in downtown Vallejo, south of Napa Valley. Cheng says he initially planted grapevines as a landscaping alternative for three reasons: He likes wine; grapevines are drought-tolerant; and they look nice. He discovered that the cooling influence of nearby San Pablo Bay allows his fruit to ripen slowly, maximizing fig and apricot flavors. Future bottlings will carry the "San Francisco Bay" designation.
2007 Hestan Vineyards Chardonnay
Wine Enthusiast, by Steve Heimoff, 91 points:
The winery doesn’t tell us where in this gigantic, multicounty region the grapes came from, but it’s quite a good wine. Firm in citrusy acids, with a mineral undertow, it’s a dry, elegant wine with complex notes of pineapples, buttered toast and creamy lees. Lots of oak, but it’s integrated with the fruit.
2006 Hestan Vineyards Chardonnay
Wine Spectator, by James Laube, 92 points:
Bold, rich and creamy, with intense, concentrated fig, melon, spice and hazelnut flavors that fold together nicely, offering excellent depth and a long, persistent, elegant finish. Drink now through 2011. 400 cases made.
2004 Hestan Vineyards Chardonnay
Wine Spectator, by James Laube, 92 points:
This wine unfolds to reveal layers of complex flavors, starting with a buttery hazelnut and vanilla oak flavor, rich fig, apricot and melon flavors that return to mocha and hazelnut on the finish. Drink now through 2009. 325 cases made.
2003 Hestan Vineyards Chardonnay
Wine Spectator, by James Laube, 94 points:
This rich, full-blown, opulent wine is oozing with layers of fig, pear, apricot, spice and cedar notes. Impeccably balanced, it succeeds at delivering a load of flavor while maintaining a sense of elegance and finesse. Drink now through 2009. 325 cases made.