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2016 Wayfarer Wayfarer Vineyard Chardonnay

Not Currently In Auction

Latest Sale Price

April 27, 2025 - $73

Estimate

RATINGS

98Jeb Dunnuck

...ultra-pure bouquet of white flowers, tangerine, crushed citrus, and hints of brioche and marzipan, it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a seamless, elegant texture, riveting acidity, and a great, great finish.

97+ The Wine Advocate

...scents of fresh ginger, orange blossoms, baking bread, toasted almonds and beeswax with a core of pineapple, grapefruit, lemon meringue pie and green mango. Medium to full-bodied, the palate explodes with tropical and citrus fruit goodness, supported by a racy line of acid and finishing on a persistent gingery note.

94Wine Enthusiast

Moderately structured, complex and balanced in weight, this is a tremendous white, coastal in briny salt breeze and oak. The fruit profile is savory and crisp, a mix of lime zest and tangerine that brightens and lengthens the well-integrated palate.

93Vinous / IWC

...wonderfully open and expressive... Lemon confit, apricot, chamomile, savory herbs and mint nuances are nicely delineated. Medium-bodied and supple...

93James Suckling

A bold style with rich nougat and glacé peaches, leading to a palate that has soft, round, butter-infused peaches and a delightfully fresh finish.

92Wine Spectator

Firm and fleshy, with good cut to the focused green pear, Granny Smith apple and kiwifruit flavors. Hints of dried tarragon show on the crisp finish.

PRODUCER

Wayfarer

Wayfarer is a Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir estate with a classy pedigree. It was founded in 2002 by Jayson Pahlmeyer, an attorney who in 1985 founded Pahlmeyer winery and hired legendary winemaker Helen Turley. In the late 1990s Pahlmeyer became intrigued by Burgundian wines and tried to buy vineyards in Burgundy, only to have the sale fall through at the last minute. Instead he found an organic farm for sale on the ridges of the Sonoma Coast near Helen Turley’s Marcassin vineyard. Pahlmeyer bought the 30 acres and David Abreu planted vineyards in 2002. Pahlmeyer runs the estate with his daughter Cleo and consulting winemaker Bibiana Gonzalez Rave. The estate and its wines are all in the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA, a northern Sonoma Coast AVA only just approved in 2012. The Wayfarer vineyard is 1,100 feet high, resulting in plenty of sun as well as cooling marine breezes. The estate makes several Pinot Noirs and one Chardonnay. Reviews have been impressed, awarding some of the wines scores in the high 90s. The journal Vinous has written that “simply put, the wines are stunning.”

REGION

United States, California, Sonoma County, Fort Ross-Seaview

Sonoma County is not an AVA, but it is a commonly used informal designation for wines made outside of more specific AVAs within Sonoma, which is a large wine producing region just west of Napa Valley. Though Sonoma is often overshadowed by its glamorous neighbor Napa Valley, it has a long history of wine production. The area specialized in jug wine until the mid-20th century, when Sonoma producers took a cue from Napa and started improving quality. Unlike Napa, where Cabernet Sauvignon is king, Sonoma specialized in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, though excellent Cabs are produced too. There are at present 16 AVAs within Sonoma County, and, like much of the West Coast of the United States, new AVAs are created in Sonoma County with regularity. Some Sonoma appellations, such as the Russian River Valley, are renowned for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

TYPE

White Wine, Chardonnay

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.

VINTAGE

2016 Wayfarer Wayfarer Vineyard Chardonnay