Description

PRODUCER:
Senses Wines is the dream of three childhood friends. Christopher, Max and Myles, who partnered with critically acclaimed winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown, to produce world-class wines from renowned vineyards owned by their families. Since its founding in 2011, Senses Wines’ production has grown to include many coveted vineyard sites throughout Northern California. The estate vineyards are located in the West Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley, specifically just outside the town of Occidental, where the three founders grew up. On the label, the second letter ‘e’ has been substituted with the number ‘3’ representing the three founders and the three wine senses of sight, scent and sip. They believe the vineyards are their greatest asset, and meticulously farm each vine so the winemaking process can be as hands-off as possible. This approach ensures complexity and finesse for each wine, vintage after vintage, and their stunning wines are testament to their dedicated passion.

VINTAGE:
2020 exuded significant promise with mild temperatures and cold nights to preserve the bright acidity. As most of the vineyards are on hills and ridge-tops, they were unaffected by spring frost. Springtime rains threatened fruit-set, but were also welcome, after a very dry winter. 2020 shows excellent concentration and very clean fruit, which makes for age-worthy Chardonnay with high acidity and ripe fruit characters.

VINEYARD:
The grapes come from the El Diablo vineyard, which sits on a ridge above Eastside Road in the Russian River Valley AVA. Planted in 2008 by then vineyard manager Ulises Valdez. Valdez told the Senses Wines team that “when you work hard, the fruit always tastes better”. That sentiment holds very true for the El Diablo vineyard. The vineyard comprises Old Wente Selection Chardonnay clones and is planted in 4’x6′ spacing. The soils are gravelly and sandy loam, which offer excellent drainage properties with a tight clay subsoil which retains water to sustain the vines. The warm climate is tempered by the cool, coastal breezes and the trademark fog that lingers over the vineyards, bringing moisture and having a cooling effect on the vines. The result is a long hang-time, during which the vines slowly build aromatic complexity, concentrated flavours, superbly balanced by natural, crisp freshness. The vineyard is certified as Sustainably Farmed Grapes, and the grapes are manually harvested.

WINEMAKING:
The grapes were barrel-fermented with indigenous yeasts from the vineyard to fully express the site. The wine underwent careful bâtonnage; the amount and frequency were carefully tailored to the barrel. The wine was matured for 14 months in 100% French oak, of which 30% was new, 70% was second or third passage.

TASTING NOTE:
Aromas of flamboyant pineapple, orange blossom and hints of coriander seed, marzipan and lemongrass lead to a palate delivering lovely tension, tropical fruit and finishing with great purity.

GRAPES:
Chardonnay 100%.

AWARDS:
• 93+ Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, 2024