Heron Chardonnay 2013

Heron

Varietal: Chardonnay

Vintage: 2013

Country of Origin: California

Appellation: Sonoma County

Retail Price: $15

Tasting Notes: The owner, Laely Heron, is an innovator. She contracts with growers from premier California AVAs for her wines. The grapes are sourced from Russian River Valley, Carneros and Santa Maria Valley from 22-25-year-old vines. She incorporates whole-cluster pressing with barrel aging of up to five months with no malolactic fermentation. The wine is lively and refreshing with lush flavors of peach, mango and citrus. It’s long, crisp and zesty on the finish with lip-smacking acidity: an ideal aperitif, or will pair beautifully with milder Oriental cuisine.

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Wine Rating System

Our reviewers are given a topic (varietal, drinking occasion, price) six times a year and asked to select 3-5 wines that fit that criteria for review. Wine reviews include brief tasting notes, a rating and the wine’s retail price (which can vary from store to store and market to market). Unless noted otherwise, the price reflects a 750-ml. bottle. If you’re a beverage professional with a specialty in wine and you’re interested in participating in the panel, please contact managing editor Kyle Swartz at kswartz@epgmediallc.com or 203-855-8499 x2225.

FIVE STARS
*****
92-100
A Top-flight wine. Superior in taste and character and providing an outstanding price/value relationship.

FOUR STARS
****
86-91
A very good wine and an excellent value. A wine for which customers will keep coming back.

THREE STARS
***
80-85
An above-average wine, at a reasonable price point, which many customers enjoy.

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Heron Chardonnay 2013