Wayfarer Vineyard Chardonnay 2012 750ml

Cleo Pahlmeyer, daughter of Napa Valley’s Jayson Pahlmeyer, came up with the idea of produce a stand-alone brand from the Wayfarer Vineyard on the Sonoma coast in 2012. According to the St. Helena Star, “then-Pahlmeyer winemaker Helen Turley had called the property the destined ‘La Tache of California,’ referring to the blessed grand cru in Burgundy.” Pahlmeyer teamed up with winemaker Bibiana Gonzlez Rave, formerly of Lynmar, on this project. The Star: “Indeed, the 2012 Wayfarer Vineyard Chardonnay ($80) has well-integrated oak nuances, with toastiness on the nose that expresses itself more as a complex, rich mouth feel on the palate. Pahlmeyer explained that the medium toast of the barrels used is key to maintaining balanced flavor; a heavier toast is not desired. The 2012 Wayfarer chardonnay ages in 65 percent new French oak.”

Critical Acclaim

94 Jeb Dunnuck

The 2012 Chardonnay Wayfarer Vineyard gives up more minerality as well as honeycomb, brioche and white flowers. It too is a rich, mineral-laced, fresh, age-worthy Chardonnay that has terrific depth and length.

94 Wine Enthusiast

Estate grown, this is the only white from the Wayfarer Vineyard out on the Fort Ross-Seaview coast, and its stunning. Culled from several distinct blocks planted to a handful of clones, including Mt. Eden and Old Wente, the aromas are pretty in orange blossom and peach, the body expansive and flinty. Succulent, the wine offers a lot of layered complexity, , making it enjoyable now and through 20202022.

93 Wine Advocate

The 2012 Chardonnay Wayfarer Vineyard opens with crushed stones, yeast extract, waxed lemons and peach preserves notes, morphing into suggestions of yuzu, acacia honey and praline. The medium-bodied palate reveals great elegance, with slowly evolving citrus flavors and a silken texture, finishing with chalky notes lifted by a racy line.

92 Vinous

The 2012 Chardonnay Wayfarer Vineyard impresses for its energy and focus. Grapefruit, lemon oil, pears, chalk and white flowers all take shape in the glass. Today, the 2012 is a bit compact and closed in on itself, which is surprising for the year, even on the coast. This is a terrific first effort, though. There is every reason to think future vintages will be even better.