Wayfarer Tasting with Bibiana González Rave
2013 CHARDONNAY, WAYFARER VINEYARD FORT ROSS-SEAVIEW 14.5% 820 cs 98
2013 PINOT NOIR GOLDEN MEAN FORT ROSS-SEAVIEW 14.5% 550 cs 94
2013 PINOT NOIR MOTHER ROCK FORT ROSS-SEAVIEW 14.3% 340 cs 95
2013 PINOT NOIR PAIGE’S RIDGE FORT ROSS-SEAVIEW 14.6% 110 cs 95
2013 PINOT NOIR THE TRAVELER FORT ROSS-SEAVIEW 14.3% 130 cs 96
2013 PINOT NOIR, WAYFARER VINEYARD FORT ROSS-SEAVIEW 14.5% 1300 cs 92
Proprietor Jayson Pahlmeyer had David Abreu plant his Wayfarer Estate Vineyard to thirty 1-acre blocks in 2002 after purchasing the property on the recommendation of Helen Turley, and began blending the fruit into his Pahlmeyer Sonoma Coast bottling in 2005. Not until 2012 did he deem it was ready to stand on its own as Wayfarer. From the superbly talented viticulturist/winemaker Bibiana González Rave, the current vintage is full of excellent to extraordinary wines. 2013 CHARDONNAY is a selection of Old Wente clone seeing only 60% new French oak, The nose is a gauze of citrus, pulverized granite, conifer, pineapple, honey, salt, lush buttercream and piecrust. The palate shows incredible structure and focus to the feather-light vibrant peach, pear. A masterpiece. Drink 2015 – 2023. 2013 PINOT NOIR GOLDEN MEAN is 35% whole cluster and comprised of 75% Pommard, and 25% Swan clone. The nose is mint, ripe cherry, plum, chocolate powder, graphite and golden stone fruit skin. The palate is firm and lively on entry with a core of beautifully delineated structure of cherry, raspberry and acidity. The finish lasts a full two minutes. Drink 2015 – 2023. 2013 PINOT NOIR MOTHER ROCK is most helped by decanting at this stage. The nose is initially closed, later showing firm cherry, raspberry and rhubarb. The palate is vibrant black raspberry with notes of petrichor and supple velvet-like tannins, finishing with violet and cherry. Drink 2015 – 2023. 2013 PINOT NOIR PAIGE’S RIDGE The nose is gorgeously deep and complex showing licorice, blackberry, cherry, mint, red apple and rhubarb. The palate entry shows polished flavors of apple, cherry and spice with plenty of vitality and structure. Fall 2015 release. Drink 2017 – 2024. 2013 PINOT NOIR THE TRAVELER is a suitcase clone from Burgundy and has a nose of dusty violet sachet, loam, cherry, graphite, and notes of sweet white peach. The palate is firm and fresh with beautiful texture and lightness with outstanding layering and balance. One more thing: This bottle sat uncorked in my office for two weeks after tasting with Bibiana awaiting recycling. I put my nose over the neck and was surprised how fresh it was. Pouring it into a glass and drinking it was indistinguishable from Day 1. 2013 PINOT NOIR is lushly put together with aromas of cocoa, cherry, graphite with whiffs of orange peel, spice, cola and hints of rum. The palate is a supple, berry-focused assemblage of each clone in the estate, harmoniously focused through its silky finish. Drink 2016 – 2023.
