Wayfarer Vineyard

8.4

Wayfarer had this 10 years ago

Wayfarer Vineyard

10

This wine emits a pale yellow-green silver glow. Wayfarer Vineyard’s cool coastal influence is evident in the wine’s complex aromatics, layered texture and impeccable balance. An interplay of citrus, orange blossom, Asian pear, white peach and flinty aromatics echoes and expands on the palate. Flavors are lifted and extended by acidity that washes over the sumptuous structure framing the expansive mid-palate. A finish of tangerine and acacia with hints of roasted almond and honeysuckle lingers in the mouth. Generous and complex, this wine will continue to evolve and open. Cellar 5-8+ years.

Waiting for the perfect moment to harvest was essential in achieving aromatic intensity while maintaining the wine’s buoyant acidity. We hand-harvested in pre-dawn hours to ensure firm, cool clusters were delivered to the winery. After gentle whole-cluster pressing, the wine settled for 12 to 24 hours followed by carefully-monitored racking. Our 2012 barrel program utilized 65% new French oak at medium toast levels. Cooperages include Damy, Francois Freres, Remond and Latour. Alcoholic fermentation was slow as guided by native yeasts, and lees were stirred often until malolactic fermentation was fully completed. The wine aged in barrel for 15 months and was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
— 10 years ago

Wayfarer Vineyard

10

A cuvée of Dijon clones 37 and 777, “Mother Rock” is named for Wayfarer’s sandstone substrate which urges our vines to burrow deeply, their fruit echoing the unlocked terrain below. Flinty minerality ascends from the glass, a tribute to the wine’s earthy origins. Intense, bright fruit aromatics evoke raspberry, red cherry, strawberry, blueberry and red currant underscored by mineral notes and a delicate woody character achieved with aging in fine French oak. A mouth-coating cascade of cassis and black cherry carries through the long finish, bolstered by balancing acidity and velvety tannins.

We hand-picked and hand-sorted the fruit, reserving 24% for whole-cluster fermentation prior to de-stemming. The remaining berries were de-stemmed and hand-sorted again before transfer to tank. Five to seven days of cold maceration preceded more than two weeks of 100% native yeast fermentation. The fruit was then gently pressed, its free-run juice transferred to 56% new French oak barrels for 15 months of aging.
— 10 years ago

Wayfarer Vineyard

9.6

This wine possesses an intense dark ruby color. The complex nose reveals violets, blackberries and strawberries with fresh Herbes de Provence and a hint of anise followed by an intriguing cigar box and forest floor character. The wine exudes a unique freshness reminiscent of the Sonoma Coast air infused with the fragrance of pine trees. The Pommard clone’s depth and power is undeniable while the Swan clone’s finesse slowly advances to the forefront, unveiling seductive floral and spicy notes. Tannins are supple and dense with a texture that expands in the mid-palate, lingering for many seconds with aromas of violets and red berries. The synergy between these two clones is extraordinarily captivating and symphonies.

We hand-picked and hand-sorted the fruit, reserving 10% for whole-cluster fermentation prior to de-stemming. The remaining berries were de-stemmed and hand-sorted again before transfer to tank. Five to seven days of cold maceration preceded more than two weeks of 100% native yeast fermentation. The fruit was then gently pressed, its free-run juice transferred to 80% new French oak barrels for 15 months of aging.


— 10 years ago

Wayfarer Vineyard

10

The soulful expression of a single “suitcase clone”, The Traveler pays homage to the legendary journey of the original vine cutting from Burgundy’s most revered vineyard. Deep ruby red in hue, the nose on this wine opens gently with fresh floral notes of lavender and violet segueing to blackberry, boysenberry, cranberry and raspberry. Exceptionally focused, the structure is elegant with fine-grained tannins that present grip and finesse in concert. With time in the glass, the wine blooms and deepens, displaying notes of wild red berries, roasted nuts and vanilla bean while sustaining its bright acidity. The intriguing finish lingers long with minerality and ringing aromatics. This focused, complex wine invites further aging to fully reveal its remarkable eloquence and power.

We hand-picked and hand-sorted the fruit, reserving 22% for whole-cluster fermentation prior to de-stemming. The remaining berries were de-stemmed and hand-sorted again before transfer to tank. Five to seven days of cold maceration preceded more than two weeks of 100% native yeast fermentation. The fruit was then gently pressed, its free-run juice transferred to 63% new French oak barrels for 15 months of aging.
— 10 years ago

Wayfarer Vineyard

10

Rich ruby in color with great depth and intensity, this single-block Pinot Noir captures the signature characteristics of Dijon clone 667. Aromas of fresh blackberry, cherry, Marionberry and strawberry mingle with subtle notes of forest floor, cardamom, vanilla and toast. Profound and inspiring, the wine features a massive presence balanced with extraordinarily focused fruit and silky tannins. Alluring notes of strawberry and raspberry expand and meld with the added mid-palate interlay born of oak tank fermentation. With its enduring finish, gorgeous acidity and phenomenal balance, this is a fascinating wine worthy of honoring the most auspicious occasions.

We hand-picked and hand-sorted the fruit, reserving 20% for whole-cluster fermentation prior to de-stemming. The remaining berries were de-stemmed and hand-sorted again before transfer to a new Taransaud wooden cuve. Five to seven days of cold maceration preceded more than two weeks of 100% native yeast fermentation. The fruit was then gently pressed, its free-run juice transferred to 17% new French oak barrels for 15 months of aging.
— 10 years ago

Wayfarer Vineyard

10

This blend of the vineyard’s 12 prize clones yields a wine of complexity and completeness, the culmination of a far-reaching journey. This wine possesses a beautiful ruby color with aspects of garnet. Vibrant aromas of red cherry, strawberry and raspberry mingle with layers of crushed violet and rose petal, fresh mint and forest floor. New French oak adds even greater complexity with hints of vanilla bean and toasted bread. The entry of the wine is supple and generous, and balances with its firm structure. A harmonious blend of the site’s diverse clones, a panoply of red fruits unfurls on the palate with an emergence of cranberry, pomegranate and raspberry, framed by silky tannins and lifted by bright acidity and mineral undertones. This is a restrained, concentrated wine that opens magically with each sip. The complexity of floral notes and wild red berries lingers on the palate with a lasting finish.

We hand-picked and hand-sorted the fruit, reserving 8% for whole-cluster fermentation prior to de-stemming. The remaining berries were de-stemmed and hand-sorted again before transfer to tank. Five to seven days of cold maceration preceded more than two weeks of 100% native yeast fermentation. The fruit was then gently pressed, its free-run juice transferred to 78% new French oak barrels for 15 months of aging.



— 10 years ago