WINE SPECTATOR REVIEW*: “This rich, full-blown, opulent wine is oozing with layers of fig, pear, apricot, spice and cedar notes. Impeccably balanced, it succeeds at delivering a load of flavor while maintaining a sense of elegance and finesse. Drink now through 2009. 92 - 94”  

PORTHOS TASTING NOTES: A terrific example of a uniquely elegant Chardonnay, the new Hestan exhibits notes of honeysuckle and buttered tropical fruits (particularly pineapples and passion fruit) interwoven with a striking minerality, tremendous intensity, and impressive richness. The wine’s acidity and structure have more in common with a top Burgundy grand cru than most California Chardonnays. This is a brilliantly executed, full-throttle effort that builds incrementally in the mouth. This wine is still a little tightly ‘wound’ and will evolve gracefully, over the next 2 – 3 years of cellar time or decanting (seriously!) for an hour if you pop the cork prior to 2010. Best in 2011 in our estimate. Less than 300 cases of this wine were produced   * Last vintage review. New 2005 release not rated yet but we’ll sell out prior so order now!