Ultimate California Wine Blog

Here again is a blog installment about which I feel a tad guilty because it is a somewhat half-assed installment in actually documenting a winery. Well, perhaps not entirely half-assed, but my reasons for going to Chalk Hill Vineyards and Estates was not entirely to review it as a winery, but to attend their now-famous auction event, Imagine which raises funds for children’s charities. I will be writing the entire event up for another publication, so it will only be briefly mentioned here.

The Chalk Hill estate lies on a massively sprawling chunk of over 1,200 acres off a series of small dirt roads in Healdsburg. It not only includes vineyards and winemaking facilities, but is also known as an equestrian center as part of the passion of its owners, Peggy and Fred Furth. Arriving at the estate, I was driven in a tourist van past what I was told was the winery area (hence, the far-away picture).

The Imagine fundraiser was held in a building that is actually an indoor riding facility, used mostly used for dressage. Here, however, the dirt floor was covered and the party set for approximately 500 people; on one end of this open-aired, vaulted structure, a was stage set for the performance by the Russian National Orchestra, conducted by Carlo Ponti, Jr. (Sophia’s little boy), and the other end, a stage set with an impressive audio-visual equipment to be utilized for the afternoon’s auction. This festivities were an afternoon gala which closely rivals the famous Napa Valley Auction in its celebrity watching, but also notable for the culinary offerings by Chalk Hill in-house chef, Didier Ageorges.

I mention food only in passing as the luncheon was coordinated for service of only three of Chalk Hill’s eleven wines. I would love an opportunity to taste their entire line-up as some interesting varietals are being bottled; besides the standard Cab/Merlot/Chard triumvirate, Chalk Hill’s wines include a rarely-seen Carmenere, a Petite Verdot, a Malbec, and a Semillon (just to name a few). There is always a distinct advantage to tasting wines when well-paired with food, so I will add in a few additional photographs of the amazing hors d’oeuvres that were served, partly because they are so pretty and partly because they were so exceptional.

2001 Pinot Gris – Golden straw color with a faint hint of grass and floral notes in the pale wine. A swirl produced brighter clean lemon with some white melon. The acidity was distinct with a pleasant sharp tang and a supple, clean finish. It paired especially well with the Lobster and Ginger Tempura as well as the Golden Trout Caviar on Blini.

2003 Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley – Well-integrated bouquet of cat piss and grass. (This is a good cat-piss wine, trust me! It is not meant in a derogatory fashion.) Tangy upon mouth entry but blossoms into velvet and cream with a little tongue warmth. Slightly mineral in the mid-palate, showing depth and balance. I especially liked this wine with the Tuna Tartare and Pickled Seaweed on Toasts.

1998 Verité – An unknown blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, although the label indicated it was 62% Sonoma and 38% Napa grapes. With a wine of slight age, this was a fabulous example of depth and complexity, at first displaying elegant wild mushrooms and earthiness layered with fresh cranberry, cassis, and blueberry. As it opened, the intensely rich jammy nose produced some mineral tones and sweet black licorice. The mouth feel was viscous and smooth, bringing forth the dark fruit but also a bit of candied berry on the back palate. Long, detailed finish that changed and developed.

No prices were available on the wines. A future visit to Chalk Hill is on my radar and must be by appointment only.

Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards and Winery ~ 10300 Chalk Hill Road ~ Healdsburg ~ Sonoma County ~ CA ~ 95448 ~ 707-838-4306