Tantara Winery

Tantara was the second winery to be located on the flats of the Bien Nacicdo Vineyard property (Au Bon Climat/Qupé being the first). From the very beginning, the two partners in Tantara were committed to sourcing their grapes from only the best properties on the Central Coast. And needless to say, being located at Bien Nacido gives them easy and instant access to their contracted fruit when harvest time rolls around. Having direct contact with the on-site vineyard manager is also very helpful when deciding the exact time to pick their rows.

The 2004 Tantara Bien Nacido Chardonnay is a prototypical Chard from that vineyard with all the exemplary bells and whistles that you would expect from very cool climate Chard. Fermented equally in barrel and stainless steel (50/50), the wine spent thirteen months in oak (20 percent new French barrels) with periodic lees stirring. Rich and opulent on the palate, the wine is very fruit forward, billowing with pineapple, mango and caramel flavors. The added attraction here is a kind of buttered popcorn sheen that informs the flavors, giving them a further exotic lift into the next flavor dimension. Roasted chicken, stuffed with lemon, garlic and herbs would be a very satisfying food match up.

Reviewed April 3, 2007 by Dennis Schaefer.