Fantesca Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2020

Being one of the most well-known names in Napa Valley winemaking and recognized for producing some of the most luxurious Cabernet Sauvignons, Heidi Barrett is most notably known for producing the wines that began the cult wine movement in Napa in the early 1990's. Lovingly called the 'First Lady of Wine' by wine critic Robert Parker, Heidi is the woman behind the rise of Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle. During this time, she had five perfect 100-point scores for her wines in the span of just a few years and skyrocketed to international fame. She now makes Au Sommet, Paradigm, Amuse Bouche, Barrett & Barrett, La Sirena, and this boutique brand ~ Fantesca! 

Proprietors Susan and Duane Hoff were college sweethearts. While attending the University of Minnesota, Susan worked at a stereo shop called Sound of Music. By the time the couple married several years later, the company had grown to 12 stores — and by the time their first child was born, 50. No longer called Sound of Music, the store was now known as Best Buy. Both Susan and Duane continued to establish successful careers in Minneapolis, helping grow Best Buy into the Fortune 100 company it is today. Eventually, they were both ready to trade fast-paced corporate lifestyles for a new way of life — one where they could start a business as a family. In 2004, Susan and Duane purchased a 53-acre parcel with a 10-acre vineyard and named it Fantesca Estate & Winery. The winery's name comes from a character in the Italian comedy troupe that inspired Cirque Du Soleil. La Fantesca was the single female character in the early theatrical performances of Commedia dell’Arte. Both the lover and the equal of the protagonist, Harlequin, Fantesca could always be counted on to charm the audience. When they heard Fantesca described as “Sexy, Smart, and Unpretentious,” they knew they had found a name worth living up to. Light straw in color with beautiful aromas of ripe, crisp Gravenstein apples, citrus, honeydew melon, creamy toastiness, crushed rocks and a light kiss of French oak. Across the palate the flavors are a mirror of the aromatics, round and rich with creamy texture and crisp, clean, pure flavors. The wine has seamless balance and good persistent length.