Vineyard Notes
Called “one of the great Grand Cru Chardonnay sites in California” by Robert Parker, the Charles Heintz Vineyard sits upon a ridgetop along the rocky Sonoma County coastline. The 30-year-old vines, planted on the desirable Gold Ridge Sandy Loam top-soils, ripen slowly, cooled each evening by the fog that rolls in from the nearby Pacific Ocean. This slow, even ripening process results in beautifully balanced wines with fully developed flavors and fresh acidity. The vineyard site has been in the Heintz family for over 100 years, and since its planting in 1982 has become a name synonymous with the best of California Chardonnay.
Winemaking Notes
The 2024 Amici Charles Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay is a complex, expressive wine that captures the elegance of this grand cru Sonoma Coast site. Aromas of ripe Meyer lemon, grilled pineapple, and honeycomb mingle with notes of white blossom and crushed chalk. On the palate, a generous, creamy mouthfeel is framed by vibrant yet slightly softer acidity than 2023, with layers of juicy pear, baked apple, and crème brûlée accented by a touch of warm spice. The finish is long and persistent, weaving together ripe fruit, coastal minerality, and polished oak in a powerful Chardonnay of depth and balance.
- Vintage
- 2024
- Varietal
- Chardonnay
- Vineyard
- Charles Heintz Vineyard
- Appellation
- Russian River Valley
- Blend
- 100% Chardonnay
- Alcohol
- 14.2%
- Fermentation & Aging
- 100% Barrel Fermentation; Native Yeast; Full Malolactic; Aged 14 months in 40% new French Oak
