Notably crisp with hints of pineapple, guava, mango, macadamia nut and crème brûlée.  Palate shows notes of grilled pineapple, roasted chestnuts and tropical fruits carried through from the nose.  Finishes clean with bright acidity, tropical notes and creamy vanilla.

ACCOLADES

Wine Enthusiast - 90 points “This is an exotic, elegant and restrained coastal wine, that is tart with lemon and lemongrass. Light and bright, its texture is fluffy and creamy, with a lingering hint of biscotti.”

WINEMAKING TECHNIQUES

The grapes were hand harvested and whole cluster pressed in a bladder press. Half the grapes were fermented in 40% new oak barrels, with the other half fermented in stainless steel drums. Aged sur lie (French for “on the lees”), the grapes were stirred once a month for the first 6 months of aging to incorporate a little more mouth feel and texture, then aged an additional 4 months before bottling. 

VINTAGE NOTES

The 2016 harvest in Sonoma County looked a lot like the 2015 harvest, as we started early and finished early. This year we had some unseasonably cool temperatures in mid-September that put the brakes on harvest, albeit temporarily, with yields down just a bit from the long-term average, but wine quality looks to be stellar.

FRUIT SOURCE: BLACK KNIGHT VINEYARD

The award winning Black Knight Vineyard is scattered across a Santa Rosa mountain top with an elevation of 8oo feet with strong marine influences. Of the 60 acres, a little more than 30 acres are planted to vineyard with 5 different clones of Chardonnay and 7 clones of Pinot Noir. Due to the steep and multifaceted location, there are at least 20 different microclimates within the vineyard. Running through the property is the Rogers Creek Fault which exposed a fantastic rocky ridge completely different from the soils on the majority of the rest of the property. Each of these elements contribute to hundreds of variables to consider while farming.

THE WINERY

Bailarín Cellars was created in 2014 by a collective of family and friends, each following their respective passions and all sharing one: quality wine. Together we focus on producing small lots of handcrafted wines from unique vineyard sources. We are proud to share the fruits of our labor and love with you.