On the nose, citrus notes compliment the balanced, subtle oak nuances. Tropical notes, with bright citrus acidity, dried pineapple, apples and soft oak nuances. 100% barrel fermented with 100% malolactic fermentation makes this wine a well-balanced Chardonnay that will develop with rich lushness over the coming year. This wine straddles the line between oaky and buttery Chardonnay, with a touch of minerality and a long finish. Balance and finesse define this Sonoma Coast Chardonnay from a remarkable 2018 vintage. Limited production.
About the Wine
After nearly two decades producing award-winning wines from Sonoma Valley and Carneros, we have extended our vineyard sources just a few miles west, home to the acclaimed Sonoma Coast appellation.
The fruit hails specifically from the Sonoma Carneros AVA, the epicenter for many of the finest Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs produced. Locally known as Schellville, it is named after a coastal mountain opening that stretches east from the Pacific that roars south through to San Pablo Bay. Fog and wind, like the neighboring Petaluma Gap, are the trademarks of the âCarnerosâ, a cooling wind tunnel effect that means smaller yields, later ripening, and intense flavors. And because of this unique âmicro-climateâ, we created Sonoma Highway Chardonnay to express our version of Sonoma Coast.
State Route 12 traverses nearly the entire state of California and takes a historic stroll through the most heralded wine-growing appellations in the State. Of particular pride to us is the idyllic Sonoma County, and the sub-appellations of Sonoma Valley and Carneros. This is where we live and make the wines of Highway 12.
Long-time friends Michael Sebastiani and Paul Giusto decided to pave their own wine road as stewards of the Highway 12 name. These guys are the âreal dealâ with three generations of winemaking tradition in Sonoma Valley. As partners in wine, their long-time relationships with local grape growers provides them with valuable access to some of the best vineyards in Sonoma County and Northern California. At the core is a âdown homeâ or âhometownâ nature to the Highway 12 family of wines. Rooted in tradition and respect for the winemaking pioneers before them, all of their wines are made to overdeliver and enjoyed in a âSonoma Formalâ (aka Clean Jeans) environment. They produce wines under several labels including their lead brand, Highway 12, as well as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir under the Carneros Highway label and their ultra-premium lineup coined Highwayman. And now they share some treasures of the Sonoma Coast under the Sonoma Highway label.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI
Sonoma Highway Chardonnay from Highway 12 Winery
4 bottles for $59.99 $15/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $119.99 $10/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2018 Sonoma Highway Chardonnay from Highway 12 Winery - $60 = 33.32%
@jaybird
Maybe they transposed the numbers and it should be $24/bottle? Canât find the Sonoma Highway Chard on their website but the Carneros Highway Chard is $24.
@jaybird On the order page there is a link to a short audio from Paul from Highway 12 Winery; he says itâs the result of a business deal that fell through.
chiming in from Sonoma, this is simply a great deal. Premier vineyard, outstanding vintage and we have a little extra. A delicious wine
we made in good faith for a prospective customer. They went through some management changes and opted out. Total bummer at the time as we were left âholding the bagâ.
I canât say how nice it was to be chosen to rat at the end of a more hectic than usual work week. Now, Iâm not the biggest white fan, so most of these notes come from the SO.
On first pour we noticed the lovely golden color and fruity/floral nose. This wine does not scream chardonnay. Probably one of the least dry chardonnays we have tasted. If we had not seen the label, we wouldnât have been surprised to find out it was a viognier or even a riesling.
Notes of melon, apple and some vanilla from the oak. Noticeable heat from the 13.25%. This is a tasty, refreshing, easy-drinking chardonnay that was more enjoyable with every sip. It even pleased me, the white wine avoider. Easy buy at this case price. Already ordered ours.
@smittypap you are spot on. We like our chardonnays lean and clean with the slightest hints of oak, but the oak is there. Balance is our mantra. Super yummy Chard.
Zero residual sugar. Perhaps the abundance of fruit notes combined with the lushness in weight/texture and clean, slightly tart finish give off a sweetness but this wine is bone dry.
Sorry if this is a dumb question, but what is the aging potential for a wine like this? I am new here and have been buying too much wine and just got the iron horse chard case. Thanks!
âHey Mikey, I think he likes it!â Iâve commented before that Iâm not a big Chardonnay drinker, but I really like this one! On the lighter, crisper side, with slightly minerally pop when it first hits your tongue. Pale golden blonde color. I get notes of just ripened melon and pear on the tongue, with aromas of vanilla maybe? Maybe something else? And the oak isnât overpowering. Very subtle but just enough to give it structure. If you are a Sauv Blanc person like me, youâll like this Chardonnay. Paired very well with Habit Burgerâs Chicken Club sandwich and an Autumn Harvest Apple vinaigrette salad!
I know it may seem crazy, but I ordered two cases. 1) These folks make some great wine. 2) No mentions of butter (even though it has been in oak); 3) Love a minerally SB - and minerally was listed in the rattage; 4) who know - maybe a wedding in our future? (purely speculation at this point)
@woopdedoo there is a pleasant nuttiness with the slightest hints of buttered popcorn. Itâs there but as a cast member, not the star of the show. Kudos to you on loading up!
@Highway12Winery@woopdedoo Butter is not a product of oak aging, itâs primarily a result of malolactic fermentation, the conversion of malic acid to lactic acid. Malic acid is tart, lactic acid is soft/ buttery. And yes other components come into play. Just mentioning that because you mentioned butter/oakâŠ
@Highway12Winery@kaolis Thanks! I have never quite understood the whole malolactic fermentation. If this is what imparts the butter (or perhaps diacetyl) flavor, why is there no malolactic fermentation for SB or, for that matter, Cabernet?
@Highway12Winery@kaolis@woopdedoo Almost all red wines go through ML. But not all malolactic fermentation produces buttery aromas and flavours. Thatâs usually due to a molecule called diacetyl (and its similar cousins like 2,3-pentanedione) that ML bacteria can produce under certain circumstances. Winemakers can actually encourage or discourage diacetyl formation, Iâve been told, by changing some parameters around.
I would like to try this out, but I donât need a case, and I donât want to pay 50% more either (even if the 4-pack is still a solid deal). If anyone in the southern PA / central MD / northern WV area wants to split, please hit me up.
Iâm trying my best (only sort of, apparently) to cut down on ordering and yâall are making it near impossible (improbable, certainly). My cellar shelves are full, cases laying about, and still must-buy offers keep enticing me. Ordered a case before listening to Paulâs chat, but thoroughly enjoyed it! Now on to the clearly non-functioning SIWBM.
I tried this Chard last week and it is off the charts delicious. Iâm pretty sure I know the premier vineyard that it came from and it turns out excellent & highly sought after fruit. This is a âSWEETâ deal. In for a case and will be hard pressed to share any.
Was suggesting this to my mother who enjoys chardonnay more than I with things like La crema and Kendall Jackson being her favorites. She is considering a half case.
Would anyone possibly have any advice for me to understand where this might compare?
I have a feeling it will be much less oak. Hoping for a nice balance between oak and fruit and not too sweet. Not expecting a ton of acid. May get a case and split with her if my hope is confirmed.
So glad to see Highway 12 on Casemates. Paul and Michael and I go way way back. You may remember they made Monkey Prize. to this day one of my favorite âwoot cellarsâ wines.
If you havenât listened to Paulâs producer podcast, itâs fantastic.
A little hesitant with any mention of buttery. That is my second-most objectionable quality in a white, only trumped by the âcat pissâ of SB. (Sorry, klezman, I knew the technical term at one time.)
Lots of people vouching for this, and the price is worth a chance. If nothing else, it will be giftable.
@KNmeh7 I hate replying to myself. But, let us edit! Site tools!
Can the winemaker explain why the description of the winery has highway 12 as their âmost accessibleâ (Kevin Nealon, subliminal message: cheap) wine, and those donât even sniff $45 SRP.
Then they tout their highwayman as their ultra-premium label, and their chard is $38.
I know it all boils down to is this wine good? Who cares about SRP, it is a $10 wine. But, sometimes the âdiscountâ is a little out of line. Highway 12 is around 20 a bottle. Which falls in line with most of the WD offers of ~50% off.
I am out. Despite all comments, I donât appreciate a bottle that apparently never been to market with such an inflated price. It shows marketing vs wine making.
I am guessing they quote what the client (restaurant) was going to mark it up on the menu. Not the actual retail price, which are just random numbers as it, apparently, hasnât been offered to the public.
@KNmeh7 completely understand your point of view and can see the rationale however that is not the case here. This wine was a best of vintage release (best vineyard lots and extensive winemaking protocols which all add to our cost) and intended for a higher end exclusive placement. Like weâve said all along, the deal went south and we have some extra inventory.
@KNmeh7 Iâm a scientist and engineerâŠI know lots of random and generally useless stuff!
I donât know what chemicals give the cat piss smell, though. All the internet says at first glance is thiols, which are a huge group.
@klezman@KNmeh7 wellâŠall I can say is we are dog people and our SB (yes, shameless plug) is filled with tropical fruit notes. For us itâs vineyard driven as our single source in Kenwood, CA gets ripe (not over ripe) and gives us a head start on averting the cat pee thing!
My case order showed up with only 9 bottles in it. It was a smaller box (wouldnât fit a full case) so itâs not like three fell out. Of the nine bottles, three were in the cardboard âholdersâ, three were crammed in a plastic bag (no, not kidding), and three where crammed into the bottom (under the plastic bag) and padded with what I believe is Pokemon wrapping paper. Without a doubt the worst shipping experience Iâve had with Casemates. I would think it was funny if I hadnât been shorted bottles I paid for. Very uncool.
@jwNC That is nuts.The Pokemon is a nice touch. Jeez. Have you had any luck with customer service? I find it sometimes takes a day or two for a wine CS person to take up the matter.
@chipgreen@InFrom@rjquillin@Winedavid49 To be clear, Casemates reached out afterwards and made this (more than) right, as they always do. I was just really surprised at the packing. I had the same thought on the pilfering, but for the size of the box. Itâs actually bigger than a previous 6-bottle box and smaller than a case box I received this summer. Sticker looks the same. After all that, though, the juice is great!
@chipgreen@InFrom@jwNC@rjquillin@Winedavid49 this usually happens when UPS drops the pkg., breaks a couple (or drank) then re-packs with whatever is available in the warehouse.
Iâve received some strange packing materials but none like yours!
2018 Sonoma Highway Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
Double Gold Medal, Sonoma County Harvest Fair
Tasting Notes
About the Wine
Specs
Whatâs Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$504/Case at Highway 12 Winery for 12x 2018 Sonoma Highway Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
About The Winery
Highway 12
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI
Estimated Delivery
Thursday, Jan 6 - Monday, Jan 10
Sonoma Highway Chardonnay from Highway 12 Winery
4 bottles for $59.99 $15/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $119.99 $10/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2018 Sonoma Highway Chardonnay
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2018 Sonoma Highway Chardonnay from Highway 12 Winery - $60 = 33.32%
Bottle price from the winery at $42 in a case vs. $10 per bottle here. Is there something wrong with the wine or is it just a great deal?
@jaybird
Maybe they transposed the numbers and it should be $24/bottle? Canât find the Sonoma Highway Chard on their website but the Carneros Highway Chard is $24.
@jaybird On the order page there is a link to a short audio from Paul from Highway 12 Winery; he says itâs the result of a business deal that fell through.
@chipgreen in the write up above it says $504/case from the winery. Must have been a really unfortunate business deal to have fallen through.
@jaybird @DickL
chiming in from Sonoma, this is simply a great deal. Premier vineyard, outstanding vintage and we have a little extra. A delicious wine
we made in good faith for a prospective customer. They went through some management changes and opted out. Total bummer at the time as we were left âholding the bagâ.
@chipgreen @jaybird best of 2018 vintage. The wine is listed under the Sonoma Highway brand. With a Pinot to boot.
@DickL @jaybird totally true.
@chipgreen @jaybird Linkage:
https://shop.highway12winery.com/product/2018-Sonoma-Highway-Chardonnay
@jaybird @kaolis
I could swear there was no tab for âSonoma Highway Winesâ when I looked last night. Must have been overtired.
Curious for a rattage. May want a case for family.
@LJeAYsy4LoqxEC
A classic Sonoma style Chardonnay. This wine was the best of our Chardonnay lots from 2018.
I canât say how nice it was to be chosen to rat at the end of a more hectic than usual work week. Now, Iâm not the biggest white fan, so most of these notes come from the SO.
On first pour we noticed the lovely golden color and fruity/floral nose. This wine does not scream chardonnay. Probably one of the least dry chardonnays we have tasted. If we had not seen the label, we wouldnât have been surprised to find out it was a viognier or even a riesling.
Notes of melon, apple and some vanilla from the oak. Noticeable heat from the 13.25%. This is a tasty, refreshing, easy-drinking chardonnay that was more enjoyable with every sip. It even pleased me, the white wine avoider. Easy buy at this case price. Already ordered ours.
Happy holidays, yâall!
@smittypap you are spot on. We like our chardonnays lean and clean with the slightest hints of oak, but the oak is there. Balance is our mantra. Super yummy Chard.
@smittypap awesome pic!!!
PANS! GLANDS! CRAYONS! AWESOME!
@smittypap least dry makes me think sweet.
@Highway12Winery @smittypap any RS?
@losthighwayz I wouldnât go so far as to call it sweet. Maybe just off-dry.
@losthighwayz @smittypap
Zero residual sugar. Perhaps the abundance of fruit notes combined with the lushness in weight/texture and clean, slightly tart finish give off a sweetness but this wine is bone dry.
@smittypap Thanks for the report. Awesome pic.
VAN MURALS! GROUND SQUIRRELS! SPIT CURLS! AWESOME!
@smittypap how oaky was this?
@CorTot Not oaky, not buttery.
Sorry if this is a dumb question, but what is the aging potential for a wine like this? I am new here and have been buying too much wine and just got the iron horse chard case. Thanks!
@dak52 it has another 2 years about.
Got me again.
/giphy starlit-sharing-cider
Sounds like my perfect chard and a great deal. In for a case!
/giphy brick-glorious-dressing
@DebRVA Bravo!
In for a case. Thanks for the input everyone including the guys at the vineyard. Lookin forward to this one!
/giphy delightful-droll-nutcracker
âHey Mikey, I think he likes it!â Iâve commented before that Iâm not a big Chardonnay drinker, but I really like this one! On the lighter, crisper side, with slightly minerally pop when it first hits your tongue. Pale golden blonde color. I get notes of just ripened melon and pear on the tongue, with aromas of vanilla maybe? Maybe something else? And the oak isnât overpowering. Very subtle but just enough to give it structure. If you are a Sauv Blanc person like me, youâll like this Chardonnay. Paired very well with Habit Burgerâs Chicken Club sandwich and an Autumn Harvest Apple vinaigrette salad!
@nccrocker and a torta chilanga from La Bamba!
@nccrocker Thanks for the rattage. That pairing sounds delish.
What a nice deal. Thanks Casemates and Highway12Winery! In for a case.
/giphy shiny-cheerful-solstice
@DanFielding thank you, cheers and enjoy!
Why no WY?
I know it may seem crazy, but I ordered two cases. 1) These folks make some great wine. 2) No mentions of butter (even though it has been in oak); 3) Love a minerally SB - and minerally was listed in the rattage; 4) who know - maybe a wedding in our future? (purely speculation at this point)
@woopdedoo there is a pleasant nuttiness with the slightest hints of buttered popcorn. Itâs there but as a cast member, not the star of the show. Kudos to you on loading up!
@Highway12Winery @woopdedoo Butter is not a product of oak aging, itâs primarily a result of malolactic fermentation, the conversion of malic acid to lactic acid. Malic acid is tart, lactic acid is soft/ buttery. And yes other components come into play. Just mentioning that because you mentioned butter/oakâŠ
@Highway12Winery @kaolis Thanks! I have never quite understood the whole malolactic fermentation. If this is what imparts the butter (or perhaps diacetyl) flavor, why is there no malolactic fermentation for SB or, for that matter, Cabernet?
@Highway12Winery @kaolis @woopdedoo Almost all red wines go through ML. But not all malolactic fermentation produces buttery aromas and flavours. Thatâs usually due to a molecule called diacetyl (and its similar cousins like 2,3-pentanedione) that ML bacteria can produce under certain circumstances. Winemakers can actually encourage or discourage diacetyl formation, Iâve been told, by changing some parameters around.
@kaolis @woopdedoo great question. ML for SBs is not uncommon however usually intended as a component so just a small percentage to enhance their final blend. Weâve done it for our FumĂ©! Meanwhile, all reds go through ML.
I would like to try this out, but I donât need a case, and I donât want to pay 50% more either (even if the 4-pack is still a solid deal). If anyone in the southern PA / central MD / northern WV area wants to split, please hit me up.
/giphy legendary-snowy-fete
Iâm trying my best (only sort of, apparently) to cut down on ordering and yâall are making it near impossible (improbable, certainly). My cellar shelves are full, cases laying about, and still must-buy offers keep enticing me. Ordered a case before listening to Paulâs chat, but thoroughly enjoyed it! Now on to the clearly non-functioning SIWBM.
I tried this Chard last week and it is off the charts delicious. Iâm pretty sure I know the premier vineyard that it came from and it turns out excellent & highly sought after fruit. This is a âSWEETâ deal. In for a case and will be hard pressed to share any.
@WCCWineGirl a staff favoriteâŠnot the first time Iâve heard this! Can make for a jolly holiday celebration.
/giphy sappy-sparkling-eggnog
Was suggesting this to my mother who enjoys chardonnay more than I with things like La crema and Kendall Jackson being her favorites. She is considering a half case.
Would anyone possibly have any advice for me to understand where this might compare?
I have a feeling it will be much less oak. Hoping for a nice balance between oak and fruit and not too sweet. Not expecting a ton of acid. May get a case and split with her if my hope is confirmed.
TIA
@LJeAYsy4LoqxEC I am confident this wine will not disappoint. A true Chardonnay with elegance and balance. Fires on all cylinders!
In for a case!
/giphy lucky-golden-ham
/giphy caroling-mulled-fragrance
Ugh. Damn it.
/giphy treasured-decent-horse
So glad to see Highway 12 on Casemates. Paul and Michael and I go way way back. You may remember they made Monkey Prize. to this day one of my favorite âwoot cellarsâ wines.
If you havenât listened to Paulâs producer podcast, itâs fantastic.
absolutely screaming deal here.
@Winedavid49 thanks for the love, Dave!
/giphy candied-plenteous-ice
A little hesitant with any mention of buttery. That is my second-most objectionable quality in a white, only trumped by the âcat pissâ of SB. (Sorry, klezman, I knew the technical term at one time.)
Lots of people vouching for this, and the price is worth a chance. If nothing else, it will be giftable.
@KNmeh7 I hate replying to myself. But, let us edit! Site tools!
Can the winemaker explain why the description of the winery has highway 12 as their âmost accessibleâ (Kevin Nealon, subliminal message: cheap) wine, and those donât even sniff $45 SRP.
Then they tout their highwayman as their ultra-premium label, and their chard is $38.
I know it all boils down to is this wine good? Who cares about SRP, it is a $10 wine. But, sometimes the âdiscountâ is a little out of line. Highway 12 is around 20 a bottle. Which falls in line with most of the WD offers of ~50% off.
I am out. Despite all comments, I donât appreciate a bottle that apparently never been to market with such an inflated price. It shows marketing vs wine making.
I am guessing they quote what the client (restaurant) was going to mark it up on the menu. Not the actual retail price, which are just random numbers as it, apparently, hasnât been offered to the public.
@KNmeh7 completely understand your point of view and can see the rationale however that is not the case here. This wine was a best of vintage release (best vineyard lots and extensive winemaking protocols which all add to our cost) and intended for a higher end exclusive placement. Like weâve said all along, the deal went south and we have some extra inventory.
@KNmeh7 Iâm a scientist and engineerâŠI know lots of random and generally useless stuff!
I donât know what chemicals give the cat piss smell, though. All the internet says at first glance is thiols, which are a huge group.
@klezman @KNmeh7 wellâŠall I can say is we are dog people and our SB (yes, shameless plug) is filled with tropical fruit notes. For us itâs vineyard driven as our single source in Kenwood, CA gets ripe (not over ripe) and gives us a head start on averting the cat pee thing!
Just got shipping notice on this - Estimated Delivery window was Jan 6 to Jan 10. Again, I will likely be out of town when this arrives âŠ
@woopdedoo Have it held at a UPS facility or partner. Generally good for a week no questions asked, but sometimes longer.
Thank you Highway 12 Winery. An excellent Chardonnay. Just wish I had order two cases.
Please come back next Christmas.
Anybody who missed this, it looks like itâs on Reverse Wine Snob today.
My case order showed up with only 9 bottles in it. It was a smaller box (wouldnât fit a full case) so itâs not like three fell out. Of the nine bottles, three were in the cardboard âholdersâ, three were crammed in a plastic bag (no, not kidding), and three where crammed into the bottom (under the plastic bag) and padded with what I believe is Pokemon wrapping paper. Without a doubt the worst shipping experience Iâve had with Casemates. I would think it was funny if I hadnât been shorted bottles I paid for. Very uncool.
@jwNC
@jwNC That is nuts.The Pokemon is a nice touch. Jeez. Have you had any luck with customer service? I find it sometimes takes a day or two for a wine CS person to take up the matter.
@jwNC Oh⊠and before anybody else mentions itâŠ
s/where/were/
@jwNC @winedavid49
Account -> your orders -> view details -> I need help with this -> fill in the blanks
@InFrom @jwNC
Itâs like a Reverse BoC!
@chipgreen @InFrom @jwNC I have no idea where that came from. Crazy⊠Letâs send you some more⊠Apologies.
@chipgreen @InFrom @jwNC @Winedavid49
Wondering if it was intercepted, pilfered, and continued on itâs journey?
@chipgreen @jwNC @rjquillin @Winedavid49 You omitted a step after pilfered â packed into a smaller box!
@chipgreen @InFrom @rjquillin @Winedavid49 To be clear, Casemates reached out afterwards and made this (more than) right, as they always do. I was just really surprised at the packing. I had the same thought on the pilfering, but for the size of the box. Itâs actually bigger than a previous 6-bottle box and smaller than a case box I received this summer. Sticker looks the same. After all that, though, the juice is great!
@chipgreen @InFrom @jwNC @rjquillin @Winedavid49 this usually happens when UPS drops the pkg., breaks a couple (or drank) then re-packs with whatever is available in the warehouse.
Iâve received some strange packing materials but none like yours!