Haynes Vineyard - Chardonnay Vigneron 2020

For the first time in the long history of Haynes Vineyard, a single-vineyard, single-estate winery has been established on this legendary site. The vineyard is renowned as the crown jewel of Coombsville, possessing a combination of climate conditions and history that make its terroir entirely unique: a patchwork of soils, including diatomaceous earth and volcanic rock, an early planting of the famous Wente clone of Chardonnay, and a position as the coolest site in Coombsville.

Winemaker Nico Cueva, formerly of Kosta Brown, considers the winemaking team the stewards of the land, making Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah with a sense of place. Originally an organic farmer, Nico has a deep connection to and respect for the land, bringing to Haynes his commitment to natural farming. Haynes seeks to both honor and innovate the classic winemaking style of Napa Valley through low intervention winemaking to craft wines of intent that allow the vineyard to take center stage.

A light and fresh wine from the Haynes Vineyard, the Vigneron Chardonnay showcases a mineral-tense expression of the site. Produced from 30-year-old vines, the youngest on the site, this Chardonnay expresses great pedigree and sense of place.

"Lime, cooked apple, crushed stone and dried flowers on the nose. Full-bodied yet compacted with a linear and firm texture that leads you down on to the palate. Ripe yet so vivid. From vines planted in 1992. Drink or hold.” - 96 points, James Suckling

"A fabulously taut and absolutely racy Chardonnay bursting out of the glass with lovely bright citrus fruit, vivid lemon curd, baking spices, and liquorice. Medium-bodied with compact crispy green apple, pear, and apricot fruits intertwined with parmesan cheese rind. Very balanced with precise acidity leading to a salty-sweet candied ginger finish. As winemaker Nico Cuevo explains: ‘Vigneron is what we grow [estate selection]. Forgeron is what we build [out of a barrel selection], and Corazon is what we love’. 13.05% ABV whole bunch pressed, aged sur lie in 500-2000-litre neutral casks for 22 months elevage. Native yeast ferments, bottled unfined and unfiltered. Wow." - 94 points, Decanter

"The 2020 Chardonnay Vigneron is sourced from parcels across the property. Rich and ample, with real phenolic intensity, the 2020 is seriously impressive. Apricot, lemon confit, tangerine peel and a kiss of French oak all meld together effortlessly." - 92 points, Antonio Galloni Vinous

Producer: Haynes Vineyard

Country: USA

Region: California

Varietal: Chardonnay

Appellation: Coombsville - Napa Valley 

Vintage: 2020

Size: 750ml