2020 Ceritas Chardonnay Heintz Vineyard
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The 2020 Chardonnay Charles Heintz Vineyard is another impressive wine in this range from Ceritas. Bright and sculpted, the 2020 impresses with its energy and drive. Heintz usually yields Chardonnays of greater mid-palate creaminess, but from a pure pleasure standpoint, this is a gorgeous and complete wine. Crushed rocks, mint, sage, white pepper and bright saline notes all meld together effortlessly. (AG)
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Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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Sourced from a 5-acre plot that is organically grown on pure Goldridge sandy loam, the 2020 Chardonnay Charles Heintz Vineyard takes on more depth, giving it a touch fuller style, and is fresh white peach, savory with pilsner, and brothy with saline minerality. The palate has a juicier mid-palate of green apple, vibrant pear, and just a hint of baking spice that tapers to fresh acidity.
Sourced from a 5-acre plot that is organically grown on pure Goldridge sandy loam, the 2020 Chardonnay Charles Heintz Vineyard takes on more depth, giving it a touch fuller style, and is fresh white peach, savory with pilsner, and brothy with saline minerality. The palate has a juicier mid-palate of green apple, vibrant pear, and just a hint of baking spice that tapers to fresh acidity. Helmed by founder John Raytek, Ceritas was established with their first vintage in 2005. Today there are 14 wines produced – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon – featuring historical sites that are dry farmed and poised to channel the style the team wants to create. Each of the sites are farmed organically, or biodynamically. Originally focusing solely on what is now the West Sonoma Coast, in 2011 they expanded their reach to the Santa Cruz Mountains, and most recently to Moon Mountain and Napa. In 2015, they moved into a new barrel room in Healdsburg, where they operate from today. Having had no investors or partners in the project, it allowed John and his team the freedom to experiment and to only bottle wines they wished to produce. From a winemaking perspective, they strive for minimal intervention in the cellar. Their oak selections are sourced from two coopers and utilize a light toast, from selections with a tight grain. The wines express a pure, focused style that will appeal to those who seek tension and precision.
About the producer
Created in 2005 by John Raytek, Ceritas is one of California’s most exciting producers. The project is focused on making single-site wines from Northern California’s coastal regions, largely Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.