
**Wine Name:** 2021 Wayfarer Chardonnay Wayfarer Vineyard Fort Ross-Seaview
**Varietal:** Chardonnay
**Vintage:** 2021
**Country:** USA
**Region:** California
**Sub-region:** North Coast
**Appellation:** Sonoma
**Producer:** Wayfarer
**Color:** White
**Type:** White
**Closure:** Cork
**Alcohol percent:** 14.4
The 2021 Wayfarer Chardonnay Wayfarer Vineyard Fort Ross-Seaview is a standout example of a California Chardonnay, earning notable acclaim from several respected wine reviewers.
The Wine Independent awarded this wine a score of 96, highlighting its aromatic complexity with "notes of green guava, Marcona almonds, and fresh grapefruit" and describing its palate as "tightly wound with loads of chalky nuances among the stone fruit layers." They also praised its "racy backbone and satiny texture," concluding that it finishes "long and savory."
Jeb Dunnuck, also rating it 96, noted the wine's "medium straw hue with youthful green highlights" and described it as having "gorgeous, fresh, floral aromas of lemon curd, pastry cream, cheese rind, sweet baking spices, and ripe pear." Dunnuck emphasized its "fresh acidity, medium body, ample ripe fruit, and a sound structure," and commended its "well-balanced richness that also feels decadent."
Vinous provided a slightly lower but still impressive score of 95, calling the Chardonnay "brilliant" and "effusive and full of character." Antonio Galloni of Vinous appreciated its "lemon peel, mint, crushed rocks, white pepper, and tangerine oil" which contribute to its "exquisite, finely sculpted" nature, asserting that it “shows why this site is so ideal for Chardonnay.”
Wine Spectator gave it a 93 score, noting its "intense lemon and litsea oil aromatics up front" and describing the wine's acidity as "firm, crunchy" with "generous green pear, lemon, pineapple, and jasmine accents." The review highlighted the "smoked salt and a crisp, zesty finish, with plenty of torque."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate rated it the highest at 98, lauding its "delightfully decadent" nature and "gregarious aromatic layers of warm peach, summer honey, candied citrus, and wafts of allspice." They remarked on its "luxuriously satiny" palate, balancing "bright acidity" with an "epically long finish."
Lastly, James Suckling, also giving it a 98, described it as "so intense and wild" with flavors of "Meyer lemon, Korean pear, green lemon, and lime." He highlighted its "piercing pineapple and focused acidity" and noted the "electric finish," admiring its "density and texture" and advising to hold onto it for further aging.
In summary, the 2021 Wayfarer Chardonnay Wayfarer Vineyard Fort Ross-Seaview is a highly esteemed wine that combines complex aromatics, balanced acidity, and a luxurious texture, making it a compelling choice for Chardonnay enthusiasts.