Double Gold Medal, 2020 Sonoma County Harvest Fair
Tasting Notes
On the nose, citrus notes complement 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
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 “Carneros”, a cooling wind tunnel effect that means smaller yields, later ripening, and intense flavors. And because of this unique ‘micro-climate’, we created Sonoma Highway Chardonnay to express our version of Sonoma Coast.
Longtime friends Michael Sebastiani and Paul Giusto decided to pave their own wine road as stewards of the Highway 12 name. These guys are the ‘real deal’ with three generations of winemaking tradition in Sonoma Valley. As partners in wine, their long-time relationships with local grape growers provide them with valuable access to some of the best vineyards in Sonoma County and Northern California. At the core is a ‘down home’ or ‘hometown’ 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 ‘Sonoma Formal’ (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
@Highway12Winery Thank you for a great offering and your participation. I just had a bottle of this Monday night with grilled pompano and said “if this is ever offered again I am getting another case” …it’s like you heard me! I think I may have been the first to place an order
So happy to see this again! And glad I popped a bottle from my previous case a couple of weeks ago. I don’t often buy a second case of a wine I recently bought and am a very particular Chardonnay drinker, but this one was just the way I like them. Instant buy for another case!
I was going to be a hard pass on this…we only like Chardonnay that is not buttery or oaky, and even then sometimes it’s meh to us. We really like the Effort chard that we got here though (and the Iron Horse unoaked). BUT I just read all the rave rattage and praise from the previous offer at https://casemates.com/forum/topics/sonoma-highway-chardonnay-from-highway-12-winery
I might be in for a case now!
@TimW Me, too. I didn’t buy it last time because of the “soft oak nuances” and I regretted it. In for a case this time. WTH?? For $10, even if I hate it, the 'rents (who LOVE oaky, buttery – BLARGH!!) will enjoy it when they visit.
@TimW@veevandyke I dislike buttery. Concerned last time, but their retort last time was “just a hint of butter”. I don’t drink that much Chard, but I have had at least 8 of these bottles thus far. Happy I got two cases last time, and in for a couple more this time. Really would say this is a minerally SB drinker’s Chard. Daughter loves it too - fwiw.
@veevandyke@woopdedoo thanks for the info! Minerally SB is our preference (actually Marlborough SBs, but when drinking California SBs we like minerally ones). I just might buy another case based on your note here…thanks again.
@stolicat like…perfect description. Super market butterballs are typically not sourced from two single vineyard lots from one local grower here in Sonoma. Special wine and deal here as you already know. Thank you for your repeat!
Howdy Casemates community! Great to be a part of the fun here again. We are coming back through one more time with this offer cuz we have just enough to make the offer count. Will be sold out at the winery after this offer - guaranteed. Recall this was a wine we made exclusively for a regional retailer in the NE. Deal fell through…and now You win!
Really enjoying the last case, I’m in for another. As the comments say, this is a very balanced chard. Nice alone and with food.
/giphy delicate-marginal-robin
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%
We picked this up last time and I agree with all the comments here that it’s a solid chard. If I weren’t over my storage on whites I’d grab this again, especially at $10 a bottle.
I split to get 6 last time around. Gave one to my parents, and they shared with a chardonnay drinking friend of theirs who thought it was okay Hearing the price, she found it much better than initial reaction. (Funny how that works.)
I opened my first to accompany Serious Eats Pasta Burro e Alici (Pasta With Creamy Anchovy-Butter Sauce). with homemade pasta. With big flavor and tons of butter, the wine stood up to it beautifully. Crisp and bright enough to cleanse the palate, with subtle citrus that complimented the pungent anchovy. Thankfully, it was not a butter-bomb that would have been too much with the dish. I would say it did everything very well, incredibly balanced and drinks good on its own, but has enough personality to match with a pungent pasta.
I am not in, because of WineSmith purchase, and my white consumption is probably 1 for every 7 reds; however, I cannot imagine anyone being disappointed in this wine at this price.
Grabbed a case of this last sale in December and used 9 bottles for office gifts and saved three. A couple weeks ago I gifted one of those to a Sherpa transporting bottles to the SoCal LA contingent, and took one home to taste.
Pretty good for a daily not that I need more of them, but it was also swmbo approved!
Comes up today and I get office inquires for a couple that received bottles.
Looks like another case coming to work for co-workers and a few for home from the split.
2018 Sonoma Highway Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
Double Gold Medal, 2020 Sonoma County Harvest Fair
Tasting Notes
About the Wine
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$504.00/Case for 12x 2018 Sonoma Highway Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
About The Winery
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
Monday, Mar 28 - Friday, Apr 1
2018 Sonoma Highway Chardonnay
4 bottles for $59.99 $15/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $119.99 $10/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Not a big Chard fan but really enjoyed this wine when ordered in December getting another case! Great $10 btl!
@dawnlac love this! This sale should wipe out the remaining inventory we have. Load up!
@Highway12Winery Thank you for a great offering and your participation. I just had a bottle of this Monday night with grilled pompano and said “if this is ever offered again I am getting another case” …it’s like you heard me! I think I may have been the first to place an order
Here is the discussion from the last sale, if anyone is interested.
So happy to see this again! And glad I popped a bottle from my previous case a couple of weeks ago. I don’t often buy a second case of a wine I recently bought and am a very particular Chardonnay drinker, but this one was just the way I like them. Instant buy for another case!
@RRichmo boom! Cheers to you @RRichmo
I was going to be a hard pass on this…we only like Chardonnay that is not buttery or oaky, and even then sometimes it’s meh to us. We really like the Effort chard that we got here though (and the Iron Horse unoaked). BUT I just read all the rave rattage and praise from the previous offer at https://casemates.com/forum/topics/sonoma-highway-chardonnay-from-highway-12-winery
I might be in for a case now!
@TimW Tim - this wine is more about brightness, balance and flavor. Worth a shot at $10!
@TimW Me, too. I didn’t buy it last time because of the “soft oak nuances” and I regretted it. In for a case this time. WTH?? For $10, even if I hate it, the 'rents (who LOVE oaky, buttery – BLARGH!!) will enjoy it when they visit.
@veevandyke I bought a case!
@TimW @veevandyke I dislike buttery. Concerned last time, but their retort last time was “just a hint of butter”. I don’t drink that much Chard, but I have had at least 8 of these bottles thus far. Happy I got two cases last time, and in for a couple more this time. Really would say this is a minerally SB drinker’s Chard. Daughter loves it too - fwiw.
@veevandyke @woopdedoo thanks for the info! Minerally SB is our preference (actually Marlborough SBs, but when drinking California SBs we like minerally ones). I just might buy another case based on your note here…thanks again.
Pulled the trigger based on previous rats and rave reviews.
/giphy plain-hushed-tinkerbell
This was very good last time, clean & sharp but mellowed taste, definitely not your supermarket butterball
/giphy mummified-emerald-heat
@stolicat like…perfect description. Super market butterballs are typically not sourced from two single vineyard lots from one local grower here in Sonoma. Special wine and deal here as you already know. Thank you for your repeat!
Howdy Casemates community! Great to be a part of the fun here again. We are coming back through one more time with this offer cuz we have just enough to make the offer count. Will be sold out at the winery after this offer - guaranteed. Recall this was a wine we made exclusively for a regional retailer in the NE. Deal fell through…and now You win!
@Highway12Winery Morning - curious what you think the drinking window might be on these? Thanks!
@CObrent
12 to 18 months is my recommendation.
The acid is still there so will help age. Prob in it’s prime right now.
@Highway12Winery Hiway 12 back in the house! all is well.
Bought this last time. Excellent QPR, tempted on a second case but I already have too much wine.
@dak52 “too much wine”…what is this concept? It just means you need some rapid inventory reduction by drinking more wine.
@dak52 too much of ours though…could be worse?
This is a fantastic $10 bottle of wine, simply delicious.
/giphy witty-demonic-nickel
Thanks @Highway12Winery, I’ve always enjoyed your wines and appreciate the participation in this forum.
/giphy golden-private-pilsner
@pmarin preeshiated!
Really enjoying the last case, I’m in for another. As the comments say, this is a very balanced chard. Nice alone and with food.
/giphy delicate-marginal-robin
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%
/giphy watchful-lush-warlock
@nicholfd miss the Cheers! days.
Too much wine here, but this is a perfect gift for my FIL.
/giphy prosperous-gracious-rice
/giphy rowdy-fattest-peanut
/giphy dejected-traditional-wing
With all the chatter and an upcoming beach house vacation, how does one say no?
/giphy hallowed-firm-assassin
We JUST RAN OUT OF WHITE WINE
@browncj7 yes!
We picked this up last time and I agree with all the comments here that it’s a solid chard. If I weren’t over my storage on whites I’d grab this again, especially at $10 a bottle.
@ludwigmace going once, going twice…!
WY please!!
Just picked up two more cases. THIS kind of deal takes me back to the woot days - sort of a Block 13 kind of deal (still have a bottle, btw)
@woopdedoo woot days…ahhhh. We produced the first or second Monkey Prize. Winedavid reminds me from time to time!
@Highway12Winery and Monkey Prize was a unicorn like Block 13
@Highway12Winery Still have a Monkey Prize, but I cannot remember whether it is v1 or v2.
I split to get 6 last time around. Gave one to my parents, and they shared with a chardonnay drinking friend of theirs who thought it was okay Hearing the price, she found it much better than initial reaction. (Funny how that works.)
I opened my first to accompany Serious Eats Pasta Burro e Alici (Pasta With Creamy Anchovy-Butter Sauce). with homemade pasta. With big flavor and tons of butter, the wine stood up to it beautifully. Crisp and bright enough to cleanse the palate, with subtle citrus that complimented the pungent anchovy. Thankfully, it was not a butter-bomb that would have been too much with the dish. I would say it did everything very well, incredibly balanced and drinks good on its own, but has enough personality to match with a pungent pasta.
I am not in, because of WineSmith purchase, and my white consumption is probably 1 for every 7 reds; however, I cannot imagine anyone being disappointed in this wine at this price.
I really enjoyed it, and am happy to have 4 left.
Hell yeah, been waiting for a solid price (for my finances) on something really well reviewed. Just in time for my birthday
With the price and all the raves, hard to pass up…
/giphy sleazy-tight-vacation
Couldn’t resist any longer, too many good comments and winemaker involvement!
/giphy ambitious-painted-pony
Still here, not Sold Out…
Grabbed a case of this last sale in December and used 9 bottles for office gifts and saved three. A couple weeks ago I gifted one of those to a Sherpa transporting bottles to the SoCal LA contingent, and took one home to taste.
Pretty good for a daily not that I need more of them, but it was also swmbo approved!
Comes up today and I get office inquires for a couple that received bottles.
Looks like another case coming to work for co-workers and a few for home from the split.
Pretty glad it wasn’t, yet, sold out.
/giphy boorish-gaunt-monk
/giphy ghoulish-jiggly-cougar
@highway12winery - If this didn’t sell out, may I please change my order to two cases?