Haynes Vineyard Chardonnay "Vigneron" 2021
(Coombsville, Napa Valley, California) - [DM 96] [JS 95] [TWI 94] [WA 93] [VM 93] [WS 91]

About the Winery:
Haynes Vineyard is a single-vineyard, single-estate winery, owned by the Lawrence family - only the third family to own the vineyard, having purchased it from the Whitford/Haynes family, who bought it from Napa City founder Nathan Coombs in the late 19th century. In 1967, the Haynes family granted André Tchelistcheff permission to plant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines, now the oldest in Napa Valley. The three expressions of Chardonnay from the site reflect its terroir, its story, and the people who define its character: what we grow – Vigneron, what we make – Forgeron, and what we love – Corazon.

About this Wine:
A light and fresh wine from the Haynes Vineyard, the Vigneron Chardonnay shows mineral-tense expression of the site. Produced from 30+-year-old vines, the youngest on the site, this Chardonnay expresses great pedigree and sense of place.

Technical Data:

Ratings & Reviews

96 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"Super aromatic and fragrant, with lovely lemon oil and a fantastic spiciness on the nose, complemented by gorgeous high-toned saline mineral notes, crushed almonds, and white pepper nuances. Impressively pure and focused, it carries supple fruit weight with remarkable staying power and length, framed by a coiled core of bristling acidity and a grippy tannic texture. A layered array of elegant, savoury baking spices fuels the long, refined finish, adding depth and complexity. The vineyard has a gentle slope, and this wine comes from the heart of the site, where old Wente Clone vines date back to 1992. In a cool-climate site, the fruit is picked late yet retains low Brix levels, staying in the low 20s. As winemaker Nico Cuevo explains: "Vigneron is what we grow [estate selection]. Forgeron is what we build [out of a barrel selection], and Corazon is what we love." At 13.05% ABV, the grapes are whole-bunch pressed and fermented with native yeast, then aged sur lie in 500–2,000-litre neutral casks for 21 months. The wine undergoes no racking or bâtonnage, only being topped up throughout élevage. It is bottled unfined and unfiltered, with no sulphur additions until about a year after harvest." – Jonathan Cristaldi (Feb 2025)

95 Points - James Suckling:
"Subtle lemon curd, honey blossom and lightly cooked apple. Medium body, with a lovely firmness and layers of fine phenolics. Love the light nougat, almond and cedar undertones. Hazelnuts. Complex and refined. Drink or hold." (Nov 2023)

94 Points - The Wine Independent:
"The 2021 Chardonnay Vigneron shoots from the glass with vibrant notes of lime blossom, grapefruit peel, and candied lemon peel followed by hints of honeysuckle, beeswax, marzipan, and sea spray. The light to medium-bodied palate is super-tightly wound with amazing tension and depth, delivering citrus, spice, and almond layers, finishing on a lingering yeasty note. This is made from the estate's "young" 30-year-old vines, with the clones Old Wente, 4, 76, and RY." – LPB (Aug 2024)

93 Points - Wine Advocate:
"A blend of Clones 4, 76, Wente and Robert Young, the 2021 Chardonnay Vigneron was entirely barrel fermented and aged in 500-liter barrels. It's a fascinating set of contrasts, boasting hints of honeyed citrus and pineapple set against some slightly herbal notes on the nose, then it's linear and crisp in the mouth but not ungenerous, with a lime-driven finish. Excellent stuff." – Joe Czerwinski (Jul 2024)

92 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2021 Chardonnay Vigneron is a very serious wine, especially considering this is the entry-level Chardonnay in the range. Pear, white pepper, floral top notes and a kiss of French oak all grace this exquisite Chardonnay. The Forgeron is a blend of Robert Young, 76, Wente and Clone 4, an approach that offers a complete expression of this site and comes through in the wine's superb balance." – Antonio Galloni (Dec 2024)

91 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Offers a lovely austere quality, showing firm flavors of pomelo, lemon and apple. Sleek acidity gives this white plenty of focus, with accents of white flowers, white pepper and a crushed rock minerality, while a soft note of lemon blossoms lingers. Drink now. 1,070 cases made." – MaryAnn Worobiec (Jul 2024)