The 1994 and 1995 Chardonnay offerings I tasted are similar. The 1995 Chardonnay, made from purchased grapes, is a lighter, more elegant, clean, straightforward style of Chardonnay to drink over the next 1-2 years.
Winemaker/consultant Nils Venge has been brought in to try and flesh out these wines which have had a tendency to be too tannic and tough-textured. The Keenan wines, made from their vineyards on Spring Mountain, have always been ambitiously made, but largely without the mid-palate and intensity I would have expected from the lofty prices. The group of wines reviewed in this segment looks to be the finest Keenan offerings I have tasted.
How encouraging it is to see this winery improve its quality.
Tel. (707) 963-9177; Fax (707) 963-8209