The full-bodied 2001 Chardonnay Heintz Vineyard, which was not racked until it was assembled in tank for bottling, boasts great texture along with a striking perfume of subtle smoke, leesy hazelnuts, and lemon rind. A massive finish displays tremendous purity, definition, and intensity.
About one-third new oak is utilized for this cuvee. The 2001 tops the scales at 15.3% alcohol. As hard as it may be for the Euro-centrist and anti-California readers (I hope there are not many of them) to believe, This vintage tastes like a great Montrachet, with an incredible liquid minerality as well as enormous body and richness.
All things considered, 2001 and 2002 are the finest back-to-back vintages I have tasted from Williams-Selyem.
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