Waypoint, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Chardonnay 2020

 It is not often that an American Chardonnay combines great structure in a medium-weight body, a perfumed fruitiness on the nose and the palate (almost like a Chenin Blanc) and an intense, stony minerality all in the same wine, as this one does.  Even less often can it maintain its integrity over a period of days, as this one does.  The flavors are of crisp apples, fresh figs, a lemony toast and a hint of peppermint, but it is the length and intensity of the finish that blows you away.  Comparisons? Perhaps it is most like one of the Chablis crus from the east bank in a warm year.  (The companion “Heintz Vineyards” is also impressive, but with less floral notes and not with the same pristine minerality.)  Matt Sands and Philippe Melka authored the wine using 62% new French oak and aged it for 18 months after barrel fermentation.