Halpin Grand Reserve Chardonnay 2018 | Exclusive Sonoma County Fabulous Burgundian Style Chard
Halpin Grand Reserve Chardonnay 2018 presents a lemon gold in color. Fabulous lemon peel aromas with sweet baking spices courtesy of partial aging in 60% new French oak. Mouth-filling with zippy lemon-lime citrus notes, kiwi, and exotic vanilla spices underscored by a high-toned coriander note. Juicy, with bright acidity balanced by a creamy richness and marked by a long and subtly toasted-almond finish. A mere eight barrels were produced.
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it should come as no surprise that Halpin was able to source Chardonnay from a producer who is arguably the most celebrated and lauded in all of Sonoma County. In the last 15 years, the Chardonnays alone from this legendary winemaker have pulled down more than 100 scores of 90-98 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, with an astonishing 50+ scores earning 94 points and above. Halpin managed to pry away enough grapes to produce just nine barrels of Chardonnay..
Grand Cru Treatment
Halpin’s winemaker Ry Richards gave it a royal Grand Cru Burgundy treatment. Adding full malolactic fermentation in barrel, then six months of aging in 60 percent new French oak. As a result, contributing a beautiful, round, rich, and creamy mouthfeel, fully supported by juicy acidity. Aromas and flavors of lemon-lime, citrus, kiwi, and exotic vanilla spices are underscored by a high-toned coriander pop, making the Halpin Grand Reserve Chardonnay 2018 from Sonoma County a grand steal at $20 per bottle.
Winemaker Ry Richards
Working in a wine shop stocking shelves sparked Ry’s interest in wine. So wanting to know more about what was in the boxes sitting in the back room. But of course, tasting at any available opportunity. Then he went off to college thinking about going to med school, but wine beckoned
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Through good timing and a bit of luck, Ry got an internship at William Harrison Winery. There working with their winemaker and a consultant named Phillip Titus. Phillip became his mentor teaching while checking in to make sure Ry was doing the right things. Titus was impressed so he offered Ry a job at Sonoma-Loeb in 2006. With Ry being on the winemaking team ever since. He’s been a Cellar Rat, forklift grunt, barrel boy…you name it, Ry has been there. Ultimately learning to craft graceful wines under Phillip’s tutelage. And of course through this adventure becoming a rising star in Napa.
