Raeburn Winery Chardonnay 2018

Wine Enthusiast 90

Winery Notes
Raeburn Chardonnay shows an array of complex fruit tones ranging from pear and Gravenstein apple to nectarine. The fruit is beautifully complemented with toasted oak, vanilla and hints of Crème Brûlée with a balanced and elegant finish.

Raeburn Winery, located in the scenic Russian River Valley, was created by Derek Benham in 2014. The wine is a special tribute to a lady near and dear to his heart, his mother Phyllis. Phyllis was a birdwatcher and naturalist in the Sierras, and instilled in her son a passion and respect for the California wilderness. She was a true trailblazer. And Raeburn is the product of her
and Derek's lifetime indoctrination into nature. Our name traces its origins to Olde English, and translates to "the stream where one drinks." As stewards of the land, our goal is to protect the thriving and wildly diverse watersheds of Sonoma County and beyond, which provide habitat for both grapes and creatures alike. We honor the egret on our label, as a nod to this beautiful place and this graceful bird that we see everyday along local waterways.
Russian River Valley is our home. Having made wine in this region for decades, Derek is well versed in the diversity of its terrain, ideal marine-influenced conditions, and the exceptional quality of its wines. Derek's deep connections in Russian River Valley and the Sonoma Coast spotlight local growers and their world-class vineyards--perfectly aligned for producing expressive, beautifully
balanced Chardonnay.