Double-Gold ~ 2022 Sunset International Wine Competition
Tasting Notes
Lush and delicious, our 2021 Kukeri Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is very well balanced with great structure and texture, on the nose orange peel zest flavors lead into a brilliant menagerie of shaved almonds, toasted brioche and caramel, and lightly vanilla oak. In the glass, bright yellow straw with golden hues, medium weight on the palate with balanced silky mouthfeel and bright acidity. Long and lingering finish.
The grapes for our 2021 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay were hand-harvested at the beginning of October, and gently whole-cluster pressed into a stainless steel tank for settling for a few days. Racked and fermented into 100% French oak barrels with 30% new oak. Moderate fermentation temperatures (60°F) and a slow ferment (25 days) combined with partial ML helped develop intense aromas and mouthfeel. Aged on fine lees for 8 months. Only 4 barrels were produced.
The 2021 Kukeri Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is coming from Vina Del Sol vineyard, located on Adobe Road. The cool winds that blow in from the Petaluma wind gap delay ripening and make for a long growing season. The wine is crafted 100% from the famed Robert Young clone of Chardonnay, which creates rich and creamy wines, with intense aromatics and flavors.
Petar Kirilov, founder and winemaker of Kukeri Wines, grew up in Bulgaria and graduated from the prestigious University of Food Technologies with a master’s degree in winemaking. He has worked at Truchard Vineyards, Meadowcroft Wines, and Foyt Wines as a winemaker, and created Kukeri Wines to focus on the production of small-lot quality wines from single vineyards.
Kukeri Wines source grapes from some of the most unusual vineyards in Napa Valley and Sonoma County. “We treat that fruit as gently as possible, producing small lots of quality wines that display the complexity, power, finesse, and specific terroir of Cabernet Sauvignon grown in Mount Veeder, and Pinot Noir from Petaluma Gap, Los Carneros, and Russian River Valley.”
Kukeri refers to a pagan Bulgarian ritual that may date back as far as 8,000 years to the ancient Thracians – and to Dionysus, the god associated with wine, fertility, and rebirth. The festival is replete with mystical symbolism, steeped as it is in a tradition representing the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, WY
I was pleased to receive this bottle this evening, right in the nick of time. I wasn’t able to properly chill it before trying it, but I suspect that’s not holding the wine back too much.
It is a very pleasant chardonnay. It has a big nose, a very broad creamy middle, just enough oak to give it some nice structure, and a decently long finish.
Made me think of a cider mill, like, hard cider apples, on the nose, and that cider-apple note predominated even as it shifted through a few other notes, including a somewhat citrusy zest.
Wine is a little bit hot, but chilling would probably restrain that a bit. I wasn’t sure I loved this at first sip, but as time went on it revealed itself to be a very more-ish wine, the kind of thing that goes very nicely with dinner and then you realize you’ve had way more of it than you’d planned.
It’s not exactly hitting my tastes in a way that would make it an instant buy for me personally, but if a friend brought it to a dinner party, it would make a welcome addition, and if it is up your alley I think it would be an absolute steal.
I’ve enjoyed Kukeri Pinots in the past, but this was my first white from them. Wine arrived yesterday, so didn’t leave much time to contemplate a pairing. Popped it in the cooler upon arrival for a taste with dinner. It had nicely chilled by the time we removed it for the meal.
Color: pale yellow - the color you would expect from a sauv blanc
Nose: pear, green apple, crisp, floral
Mouthfeel: velvety and smooth
Taste: green apple, some oak, vanilla, light alcohol / bit of a tongue tingle
Overall this wine was enjoyable and stood up well to hatch chile chicken enchaladas. It can be drunk solo, but is a very capable dance partner for a creamy, spicy dish. It’s smooth. It’s crisp. It’s solid. If you are in need of a good and versatile white wine, go for it!
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
2021 Kukeri Sonoma Coast Chardonnay - $45 = 21.42%
2021 Kukeri Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
Double-Gold ~ 2022 Sunset International Wine Competition
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale on winery website, $456/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Mar 18 - Tuesday, Mar 19
2021 Kukeri Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
4 bottles for $69.99 $17.50/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $164.99 $13.75/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
I was pleased to receive this bottle this evening, right in the nick of time. I wasn’t able to properly chill it before trying it, but I suspect that’s not holding the wine back too much.
It is a very pleasant chardonnay. It has a big nose, a very broad creamy middle, just enough oak to give it some nice structure, and a decently long finish.
Made me think of a cider mill, like, hard cider apples, on the nose, and that cider-apple note predominated even as it shifted through a few other notes, including a somewhat citrusy zest.
Wine is a little bit hot, but chilling would probably restrain that a bit. I wasn’t sure I loved this at first sip, but as time went on it revealed itself to be a very more-ish wine, the kind of thing that goes very nicely with dinner and then you realize you’ve had way more of it than you’d planned.
It’s not exactly hitting my tastes in a way that would make it an instant buy for me personally, but if a friend brought it to a dinner party, it would make a welcome addition, and if it is up your alley I think it would be an absolute steal.
@novium Thank you for the rattage
I’ve enjoyed Kukeri Pinots in the past, but this was my first white from them. Wine arrived yesterday, so didn’t leave much time to contemplate a pairing. Popped it in the cooler upon arrival for a taste with dinner. It had nicely chilled by the time we removed it for the meal.
Color: pale yellow - the color you would expect from a sauv blanc
Nose: pear, green apple, crisp, floral
Mouthfeel: velvety and smooth
Taste: green apple, some oak, vanilla, light alcohol / bit of a tongue tingle
Overall this wine was enjoyable and stood up well to hatch chile chicken enchaladas. It can be drunk solo, but is a very capable dance partner for a creamy, spicy dish. It’s smooth. It’s crisp. It’s solid. If you are in need of a good and versatile white wine, go for it!
Fancy packing too!
@albish7 Thank you for the report - I like the packaging too. Came direct from the winery.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
2021 Kukeri Sonoma Coast Chardonnay - $45 = 21.42%
/giphy resplendent-superfluous-olive
