2019 Hindsight Wines Chardonnay
The Winery
Picture from Hindsight website
Previously I have written about the Hindsight Winery in Calistoga and their excellent red wines, especially their Cabernet Sauvignon. About two years ago their long time winemaker, Jack Cole retired. Now some excellent news—they hired Michael Weis, who was the head winemaker at Groth. He is well known for making spectacular wines and I believe he received 100 points from Wine Spectator for one of his Sauvignon Blanc vintages. Additional reading about the winery and ownership can be found at:
Picture from Hindsight website
Their ownership is comprised of talented wine purests. Seth Gersh is the owner and managing Director, Alisa Gean is a Sommelier and William Boking is owner and National Sales Manager. Their resumes are too long to detail, but all have extensive and creative background in business and wine.
Besides their Cabernet Sauvignon’s which are excellent, they offer a Chardonnay, both from Napa and Monterey and Petite Sirah.
Recently they have made arrangements for their wines to be tasted at 1124 Lincoln Ave, Calistoga at the Vault in Calistoga. Their phone number is 707-341-3321.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Pulled a 2019 Hindsight Chardonnay from Napa Valley from the cellar to enjoy with dinner. Second time I have tasted the 2019 Chardonnay so was very excited to see how it was holding up to the first review. The wine not only equaled the first experience but surpassed it. First on the eyes a light straw color and medium viscosity. On the nose it was very aromatic with very soft floral notes of jasmine and honeysuckle. On the palate is where some strong flavors of pear and green apple prevailed with a hint of vanilla. On the finish, minerality and a very embracing soft acidity were evident. The words that come to mind while enjoying this lovely Chardonnay are crisp, refreshing, clean, defined and stately opulence. This Chardonnay is sourced from both Carneros and Oak Knoll AVA’s. It is fermented in stainless steel, then aged 3 months on the lees in neutral French oak. It does not have that “buttery finish” and seemed more “old world” in its flavor profile of great European Chardonnays. The wine is listed on their website at $32/a bottle and check out their website for amazing sales!
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Pulled this 2019 Chardonnay to specifically have with a beautiful fresh Ahi tuna steak last evening from Ohana Seafood in Modesto. It was cooked in ginger, wasabi, Mandarin oranges (and juice), lemon juice and pepper corns. Accompanied by vegetable spring rolls. The wine pairing was extremely wonderful with both the Ahi and vegetable spring rolls.
It was the last bottle 2019 Hindsight Chardonnay in the cellar will be calling to secure a few more bottles and including the Monterey Chardonnay which I have not tasted.
Hindsight Cabernet Sauvignon’s have made my annual Best Wines tasted the year and now will be adding at least the Napa Valley Chardonnay!!
Sláinte,
Michael
https://californiawinesandwineries.com