Thomas Fogarty - Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains 2021

Price: $52.00

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Producer	Thomas Fogarty
Country	United States
Region	California
Subregion	Santa Cruz Mountains
Varietal	Chardonnay
Vintage	2021
Sku	12013483
Size	750ml

 

WE

92

WA

92

CAC

100

V

92

Fogarty, a heart surgeon and inventor by trade, decided in 1976 to plant parts of his beautiful property high above the sparkling Pacific Ocean to wine grapes (thankfully after determining Kiwi fruit wasn’t a good match!)

Influenced by some of California’s Old Guard Santa Cruz Pioneering winemakers (including Jeffrey Patterson, Jim and Bob Varner and Jim Beauregard, and wineries such as David Bruce, Mount Eden and Ridge wineries), combined with a love of Burgundy, and despite others who back then claimed grapes couldn’t ripen in those cool coastal sites, he went with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

It turned out to be the right call, perfect for the moderately cool climate and specific soils of the Santa Cruz Mountains. As a result the wines tend to be more European in style, albeit with ample sunny California fruit and character, creating delicious, balanced wines that are a joy to drink and that are some of the best from this region. 

92 points, Vinous Media - Antonio Galloni - “The 2021 Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains) is a fabulous. cool-climate wine from vineyards at nearly 2,000 feet in elevation. Citrus peel, white flowers, crushed rock, slate and white pepper are all finely sculpted. This nervy Chardonnay is a winner.”

92 Points, The Wine Advocate - “The 2021 Chardonnay is entirely made from estate fruit and beautifully introduces the property. The nose displays ripe orchard fruits and citrus blossoms supported by pastry dough and honeyed richness. It is concentrated and forward in the mid-palate but flanked with solid acidity and mineral tinges on the finish. This is ready for consumption now but should drink beautifully over the next 5-6 years.

Thomas Fogarty Winery is one of a handful of historic producers that have become part of the fabric of the Santa Cruz Mountains winemaking culture.

Despite advice to the contrary, Fogarty planted his estate vineyards at 2,000 feet in elevation on Skyline Blvd in Portola Valley at the perceived limit of viable viticulture in 1981, which second-generation proprietor Tom Fogarty Jr. now stewards. Winemaker Nathan Kandler produces deft, precise and age-worthy renditions of these sites, as well as select non-estate vineyard sources. The winemaking here has been on a steady ascent in recent vintages, placing some of these wines among the best in the region.”