Region: Sonoma Coast, California
Vintage: 2021
Composition: 100% Chardonnay
History: Senses Wines is the dream of three childhood friends. Christopher Strieter, Max Thieriot and Myles Lawrence-Briggs partnered with critically acclaimed winemaker, Thomas Rivers Brown, to produce world-class wines from renowned vineyards planted by their families. Since founding in 2011, Senses’ production has grown to include many coveted vineyard sites throughout northern California. Senses’ estate vineyards are located in the West Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley regions of Sonoma County, specifically just outside the town of Occidental where the three founders grew up. The wines embody the natural characteristics of the vineyards from where the grapes are grown. The team believes the vineyards are their greatest assets, and they meticulously farm each vine to be as hands-off as possible in winemaking. This approach ensures complexity and purity, vintage after vintage. Grapes are hand sampled and harvested at ideal ripeness, cold-soaked for a few days, fermented with yeasts indigenous to the vineyard, and ultimately pressed and barreled into a selection of French cooperages.
Tasting Notes:
Medium golden with a silver tint, the 2021 Chardonnay UV – El Diablo offers lots of layered and classic charm, with wonderful aromas of flint, salted peach, toasted brioche, and lime zest. Medium to full-bodied, with a clean and creamy texture, it has seamless balance in its notes of hazelnut, toasted cedar, and melon. More about its rounded and viscous texture than acidity, it’s long on the palate. It’s going to improve over the next 5-7 years and drink well over the following 10.
