Baileyana Winery – 2013 El Gordo (Chardonnay)
Retail $33
Winemaker Christian Roguenant
My wife Janet and I found Baileyana Winery while our daughter was in college at Cal Poly San Luis Obisbpo. We purchased a whole bunch of red wine for the kitchen remodel and had nearly no white wines. I think we bought 100 bottles of wine and 2 bottles of white! We found out that Baileyana Winery has really great white wines so we stopped into their old schoolhouse tasting room. My wife, daughter and father in law are teachers so a 1909 schoolhouse was a good starting point. Within a couple minutes of sampling white wines, we signed up for the wine club.
Baileyana Winery makes El Gordo Chardonnay from grapes grown in the Edna Valley (Central California coast). The Edna Valley has one of California’s longest growing seasons due to morning fog then sunshine and cool breezes from the Pacific Ocean. Jack Niven from Baileyana has been growing grapes in Edna Valley since 1973. Baileyana is one of six labels under Niven Family Wine Estates. You can find Baileyana, True Myth, Tangent, Trenza, Zocker and Cadre labels at www.nivenfamilywines.com.
Winemaker Christian Roguenant believes the wine should have a “Big toasted oak, marshmallow, pear, pineapple, and buttery aromas.” He goes on to say that the wine has a rich, creamy mouthfeel with flavors of dried apricot, vanilla and a touch of nuttiness. This golden hued and full bodied wine has an oaky sweetness with smooth, silky tannins. Flavors of honey and vanilla are prevalent throughout the wine as well as on the finish.“
Personally, I think the wine is a bright straw color with aromas of pineapple and salted butter. It is indeed a full bodied wine that has a detectable pear flavor. The wine was fermented for seven months in 50% new French barrels which gives the wine a strong oak taste that just overpowers the fruity flavors. I think the wine is slightly out of balance but I like this Chardonnay because it is out of balance. I agree with the winemaker that the El Gordo Chardonnay has a lingering aftertaste finish. It lasts for nearly half a minute in the mouth. It is a good wine to spend time while quietly enjoying a sunset or just appreciating some peace and quiet.
Special Note: Our daughter went to wine taste at Baileyana (04/01/16) and we called ahead to make sure that there was something nice done for her and her guest. The tasting room staff was very accommodating and made sure it was a surprise. I did not disclose to them that I wrote this review until after my daughter’s visit.
Food pairing: Salmon, tuna or vegetarian.
Vineyard source: Select blocks from Paragon Vineyard
Vineyard certification: SIP Certified Sustainable since 2008
Harvest dates: 10/8/13- 10/9/13
Yeast: CY3079 (“Steady, slow fermenter even at cooler temperatures… good alcohol tolerance and low production of VA (volatile acidity) and H2S (hydrogen sulfide) when properly fed. Highly recommended for barrel-fermented and sur lie aged Chardonnay. Autolyzes quickly at the end of fermentation. It is thought to enhance aromas such as fresh butter, honey, flowers and pineapple.”) www.scottlab.com/product-50.aspx
Fermentation: Fermented on 25% new French oak for 22 days
Alcohol: 14.4% - High
420 cases produced
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