Pale gold color; Meyer lemon, grapefruit, guava, mango, passion fruit, white flowers on the nose and palate.
Dry; bright acidity; smooth and creamy texture from aging on neutral oak. Softer, smoother less acidic than New Zealand or Sancerre/Pouilly-Fumé. Easy drinker with delicious fruit. Elegant, refined. Pure sauvignon blanc play. Barrel aged eight months in neutral oak. Light-medium body. Intriguing hint of oiliness late in the extended finish. 14.5% ABV
Chalk Hill began in 1972 when Fred Furth flew his plane over the Russian River Valley and viewed a natural amphitheater carved in the hills of eastern Sonoma. He recognized it as an ideal site for a world-class vineyard and created an iconic Sonoma vineyard and winery. The property is more than 1,300 acres with 300 acres in vineyards; the remainder is wilderness areas, the winery, a hospitality center, and a culinary garden. Although the soil is chalky-white, it is not chalk. The white soil is of volcanic origin. The vineyards have distinctive and varied terroir.
Bill Foley is the owner today, purchasing the property in 2010. He also is the owner of the National Hockey League Vegas Golden Knights, an attorney, a graduate of West Point, a former captain in the U.S. Air Force, and chairman or board member of major financial and insurance companies. Foley and his wife Carol live in Northern California part-time and are active philanthropists for many causes, especially those in support of veterans and children’s education.
Courtney Foley, youngest daughter of Bill and Carol Foley, was the longtime head of winemaking and likely remains a major player, although she is no longer as prominent on the webpage. Like her father, she is an attorney, but she also studied enology and viticulture at both Napa Valley College and Fresno State University. Choosing crush pads over courtrooms, Courtney worked under winemaker Leslie Renaud at Lincourt and Foley Estates in Santa Barbara County, then again with Renaud at Roth Estate in Healdsburg before joining Chalk Hill.
Darrell Holbrook is the winemaker for this effort. He began as an apprentice in the mid-1990s and worked his way up from cellar intern to enologist, production manager, and assistant winemaker in 2009. In 2019, with more than 25 years of experience, he was promoted to winemaker. The website notes Holbrook considers Chalk Hill Estate “a second home. He remains enthralled by its beauty, diversity, exceptional vineyards, and the thrill of harvest time at Chalk Hill. His favorite part of the day during harvest is watching the sunrise over Windy Ridge on the estate while processing grapes on the crush pad.”
Chalk Hill Windy Ridge Sauvignon Blanc 2021 showcases the softer, less acidic, more fruit-forward side of sauv blanc. This is high-end sauv blanc from a quality maker. Chalk Hill is noteworthy for chardonnay, this demonstrates they can bring it with sauv blanc. Pair with shellfish, shrimp; light fish—trout; summer salads; vegetarian fare. Cheese—goat cheese and sheep’s milk cheese are go-tos for sauv blanc; gruyere, asiago, muenster, gouda, brick, havarti, monterey jack, parmesan, swiss, cheddar. Cow’s milk cheeses are a tricky pairing because the acidity of both the cheese and wine compete. $52
