White Wine

2024 Pop a Wheelie White

Chardonnay made without new oak. Aromas of honeydew melon, apple, meyer lemon, and wet stone. 1,200 cases produced. Vegan friendly.

Nice to meet you, we’re Diana and Frank!

Together, we have over 15 years of experience in the wine biz and a bunch of certifications. We’ve both worked as sommeliers at James Beard award winning and Michelin starred restaurants. We moved to Aotearoa New Zealand in 2017, so I (Diana) could pursue my Master’s in winemaking and viticulture. We fell in love with Aotearoa and never left.

I’m convinced it’s one of the last cool-to-moderate winemaking regions on the planet. A place with warm days and cool nights, where you can make wines with vitality and freshness without needing to add a bunch of stuff.

I only use wild yeast for fermentation (like a sourdough starter) and keep additions minimal and vegan friendly. The result? Expressive, delicious wines that are vibrant and deceptively complex.

I take my craft seriously, but never myself. So, I keep things fun and light because the world is serious enough these days 😅

We don’t have any staff, wear too many hats to count, and make less than 6,000 of wine bottles a year.

Winemaker Description 

The 2021 Chardonnay is composed of fruit from two of our organic, estate vineyards that span two different AVAs, two different soil types and two different elevations.

With an abundance of bright fruit aromatics, this wine was fermented in French oak to build richness. The nose comes alive with notes of green apple, caramel, lemon and vanilla and has fun nuances mandarin orange and toasted marshmallow. Texturally, the wine is surprisingly rich with excellent acidity making it a great food wine.

Louis Jadot is one of Burgundy's most storied and trusted négociants, with a history stretching back to 1859 and holdings across the Côte d'Or's most celebrated appellations. Their Clos de Malte is a monopole vineyard in Santenay — the southernmost village of the Côte de Beaune — where Jadot's technical director Frédéric Barnier has long championed a philosophy of freshness and balance, blocking malolactic conversion to preserve the wine's natural energy and precision.

The Domaine Louis Jadot Santenay Clos de Malte Blanc 2023 750ml is a 100% Chardonnay from the top of the Santenay slope, aged in one-third new French oak. It opens with forward aromas of ripe apple, pear, white flowers, toasted nuts, and candied citrus. On the palate it is silky and medium to full-bodied, satiny and seamless, with bright flinty acidity that gives the wine excellent energy and length. Charming, expressive, and built for both near-term pleasure and short-term cellaring.

Expert Reviews

• Decanter — 92 Points: "Easy to love, with forward aromas of ripe apples, pears and a hint of white flowers. The whole task is to keep the freshness and balance — his tactics seem to have worked."
• James Suckling — 91 Points: "Attractive toasty and nutty aromas married to generous candied citrus fruit on the silky, medium- to full-bodied palate. Bright, flinty acidity gives this excellent energy."
• Wine Advocate — 90 Points: "Aromas of peach, pear, orange zest and toasted nuts. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and seamless. Charming and expressive — another solid performance for this reliable bottling."

Wine Details

• 100% Chardonnay — Clos de Malte monopole
• Santenay AOC, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France
• Aged in 1/3 new French oak | Malolactic blocked
• Vintage: 2023 | 750ml

Winemaker Description 

Daniel and Julien Barraud’s 2023 Clos la Verchère Pouilly-Fuissé comes from the south facing ‘La Maréchaude’ premier cru vineyard comprised of Chardonnay vines with more than 60 years of age grown on limestone rich soils. Fermented and aged in oak barrels, 20% of which are new, brings forth a wine of richness and precision. Aromas of orchard fruits, wild flowers and roasted hazelnuts on the bouquet with energetic acidity and purity on the palate and a long mineral rich finish.

Made from certified organic estate grown grapes.

Warehouse stored item - please allow two to five business days to fulfill.

Blue Rock Vineyard, owned and operated by Kenny Kahn, is a small artisanal winery in Alexander Valley that produces high quality, hand-crafted, Bordeaux-inspired wines and Pinot Noir from Sonoma County grapes.  Having reviewed these wines over the years, we are gratified to observe notable improvements in the quality of the wines produced by this estate.  They are clearly the result of improvements both in the vineyard and in winemaking.

Warehouse stored item - please allow two to five business days to fulfill.

A fresh and engergetic Chardonnay that expresses the true character of Burgundy’s signature white grape variety. Perron de Mypont Chardonnay is sourced from selected vineyard parcels in the classic Chardonnay areas of the Côte de Beaune, Côte Chalonnaise, and Chablis. 

To ensure elegance and delicacy in the wine, the grapes were picked at optimal ripeness during cool mornings early in the harvest. Following fermentation, the wine was matured for nine months in used French oak barriques and 600-liter demi-muids to develop texture and complexity, while maintaining freshness. T

he finished wine is rounded and well balanced, with an aroma of white fruits and delicate flowers atop a fine mineral structure.

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

Ryder Estate Chardonnay is bright, focused and elegant. Tropical and citrus aromas lead into flavors of pear, stone fruit and apple with a hint of vanilla. Pairs perfectly with baked mac & cheese, grilled romaine Caesar salad and celebrating after a satisfying day of kayaking on the river.

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

The perfect association between the elegance and finesse of Chardonnay, with white flowers and white fruits aromas, pleasantly combined with roasted almond and hazelnut notes brought by the Savagnin.

Warehouse stored item - please allow two to five business days to fulfill.

The Wine Advocate 92 Points | Opening with a citrus and mineral-driven nose, the 2023 Bon Vallon Chardonnay displays notions of wet concrete and petrichor before aromas of lemon oil sway out of the glass. Medium-bodied, the palate displays fresh notions of citrus blossom with spiced white tea while delivering vibrant acidity with a balanced structure possessing freshness and finesse. Only 48,000 bottles were produced after the wine rested on the lees for between 80 and 120 days.

A California Chardonnay benchmark in a generous magnum format — J. Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay 2023 comes from the cool-climate Arroyo Seco appellation in Monterey County, where the Ventana winds off Monterey Bay slow ripening and preserve natural acidity. The result is a full-bodied, richly textured Chardonnay that balances ripe fruit generosity with freshness and finesse.

The nose offers pear, white peach, floral notes, and a hint of baking spice. On the palate it’s round and buttery with flavors of baked apple, toast, brown butter, and honey — ripe and generous, with a soft, lingering finish. A crowd-pleasing style that over-delivers at its price point, especially in the 1.5L magnum format ideal for entertaining.

Expert Review — Vintage 2023

James Suckling — 91 Points | This full-bodied, round and buttery chardonnay has notes of baked apples, toast and brown butter. Ripe, soft and generous.

• Producer: J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, San Jose, California
• Appellation: Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, California
• Vintage: 2023
• Style: Full-Bodied Chardonnay
• Format: 1.5L Magnum
• Pair With: Triple crème cheese, seafood risotto, mussels in white wine sauce, chicken piccata

Expert Review - Vintage 2015

Paul Gregutt from the Wine Enthusiast writes 95 Points | From Draper clone vines planted in 1965, this bright gold-hued wine brings myriad details to its apple, jicama, white peach and nut oil flavors. A whiff of smoke carries throughout, and its sheer complexity strains the vocabulary. Stay with it as more subtle layers unfold. Though seductive now, it should mature well through 2030. — Paul Gregutt 

James Suckling 92 Points | A layered and fresh white with cooked apples, honey and straw. Medium- to full- bodied, creamy and textured wine with fresh and pretty fruit. From organically grown grapes. Drink now.

Winemaker Description

The 2022 Red Shoulder Ranch is a refreshing, vibrant Chardonnay characterized by its lush, glass-filling aromas of white flowers, lemon zest, and exotic fruit. On the palate it offers a graceful balance of energy and richness, with flavors of white melon, apricot, ripe pineapple, flint, honey, and Crème Brûlée. With its pure, Chablis-like acidity this vintage offers effortless structure and elegant balance with a long, delightful finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Wine Enthusiast 97 Points | All elegance and silk, this beautifully balanced wine offers a lively texture, with subtle lemon, toast and kiwi flavors on a full body. The mouthfeel is graceful and mouthwatering, backed by acidity that perfectly meets the generous fruit flavors. Making a wine of this caliber in thousands of cases is quite an accomplishment.

James Suckling 96 Points | A vibrant, agile and poised Chardonnay with aromas of pears, apples, sweet spices, jasmine and hints of stones. It’s medium- to full-bodied with precise definition on the palate. Fresh acidity and crunchy fruity at the center and a velvety touch to the edge, bringing volume and a voluptuous character throughout. Lively and long finish.

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | I love the 2022 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch. It's a richer, broad, yet still fresh and lively Chardonnay with ripe citrus and pineapple fruits, medium to full body, a layered mouthfeel, and terrific toast, brioche, honeysuckle, and lemon oil aromatics. It will keep for 4-6 years, if not longer, but I love it today.

Expert Review

Burghound Allen Meadows 93 Points | Much more layered aromas are comprised by notes of wet stone, citrus confit, Granny Smith apple and pretty spice wisps. The dense but sleek and highly energetic larger-bodied flavors display impressive power and length on the compact, austere and impeccably balanced finale. This is excellent and a wine that is built to repay extended keeping.

Expert Review

93 Points Wine Advocate | The 2020 Meursault Village has turned out beautifully in bottle, unwinding in the glass with scents of crisp Anjou pear, lemon zest, freshly baked bread, blanched almonds, pastry cream and apple blossom. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and layered, its textural attack segues into a fleshy, precise mid-palate that's animated by racy acids, concluding with a long, mouthwatering finish. It's another terrific rendition of this benchmark cuvée.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

Burhound 92-94 Points | An elegant, pure and ultra-fresh nose offers up notes of lilac, rose petal, white peach, tea and citrus zest. There is a markedly more refined mouthfeel to the utterly delicious and highly seductive medium weight flavors that are more precise, all wrapped in a citrusy, impressively persistent and youthfully austere finale. This is very classy and I particularly like the underlying tension and balance that should also permit this beauty to age effortlessly over the next 12 to 15 years. In a word, excellent.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

Burghound | A much more floral-inflected nose freely offers up its aromas of cool and ripe pear, apple and zest. There is good richness if not quite the same density to the more finely textured middleweight flavors that conclude in a crunchy bitter lemon-tinged finale. Lovely and understated.

Winemaker Description

Rich with tropical and pear fruit, displaying an outstanding, creamy core of elegance. Winemaker Phillip Titus combines the finesse of great Burgundy, with the ripe fruit of Sonoma county. Fantastic! 

Try with Halibut, Swordfish & Tuna.

Memo Summary Notes

The 2023 Sonoma Loeb "Dignitary" Chardonnay is a significant release in the kosher wine world. It marks a "new kosher run" for the esteemed Sonoma-Loeb winery, bringing their high-end Sonoma County.

 It is specifically crafted for those who want a premium, buttery California Chardonnay.

Désire Petit Le Grapiot Chardonnay — Arbois Pupillin, Jura 2022

The Jura is one of France's most quietly thrilling wine regions — tucked between Burgundy and the Swiss border, farming ancient soils with a patience and philosophy that the natural wine world has come to revere. Désire Petit's Le Grapiot is a textbook expression of what this region can do with Chardonnay: sourced from 50-year-old vines in the prized Pupillin village, fermented and aged in new oak foudres without filtering, racking, or the addition of sulphites. Nature does the rest. The result is a wine of remarkable freshness, precision, and mineral depth — a no-sulphites Chardonnay that bears favorable comparison with Burgundies at twice the price.

The nose is fresh and precise: white peach, citrus zest, green apple, and meadow herbs, with a delicate underpinning of stony minerality and subtle toasted oak. On the palate, the wine is lively and focused — crisp acidity, a silky texture from the lees, and a long, clean finish where fruit, minerality, and oak sit in perfect harmony. It is everything a great Jura Chardonnay should be: honest, complex, and deeply satisfying.

"A deliciously mineral no-sulphites Chardonnay, lightly oaked and with bags of character and personality. Fruit from 50-year-old vines, fermented and aged in new oak foudres without filtering, racking, or sulphite addition. Wonderfully fresh, precise and tidy — fruit, minerality and subtle oak all sit in a satisfying harmony."

• Producer: Désire Petit, Pupillin, Jura, France
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Arbois Pupillin AOC
• Region: Jura, Eastern France
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Vine Age: 50-year-old vines
• Vinification: Fermented & aged in new oak foudres; unfiltered, unracked, no sulphites added
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White peach, citrus zest, green apple, meadow herbs, stony minerality, subtle toasted oak, silky finish
• Best Paired With: Fruits de mer, oysters, butter-poached fish, soft cheeses, aperitif

A no-sulphites Jura Chardonnay from 50-year-old vines — Le Grapiot is the benchmark for what natural, terroir-driven winemaking in Pupillin can deliver.

Yellow Tail | Chardonnay | South Eastern Australia | NV | 1.5L Magnum

Yellow Tail is one of Australia's most recognized and beloved wine brands, produced by the Casella family in Yenda, New South Wales. Since its launch in 2001, [yellow tail] has become a global phenomenon — a wine that introduced millions of drinkers to the approachable, fruit-forward style of Australian white wine. Sourced from vineyards across South Eastern Australia, it is crafted to be consistent, reliable, and endlessly enjoyable at an unbeatable everyday price.

Delicious and easy to drink, with a perfect balance of fruit, acidity, and oak. Fresh peach, melon, and a hint of vanilla on the nose and palate, with a silky smooth mouthfeel and a rich, creamy finish. Full-bodied and bright — everything a crowd-pleasing Chardonnay should be. The 1.5L Magnum format is perfect for entertaining, parties, and gatherings — twice the wine, twice the fun.

Pair with roasted chicken, seafood, pasta with cream sauce, salads, and vegetarian dishes.

• Producer: Casella Family Brands
• Appellation: South Eastern Australia
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Style: Full-bodied, fruit-forward Australian Chardonnay
• Closure: Screwcap
• Format: 1.5L Magnum (equivalent to 2 standard bottles)

 Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 97 Points | A superb and rich chardonnay with driven phenolics that frame the wine, giving it form and intensity. It’s full-bodied but not heavy. Dried apples, nuts, peach pie and hints of salted butter and honey. It’s flavorful and intense. Real Napa chardonnay. 70% Wente clone and the rest Calera. So drinkable now, but will age very well. 

Winemaker Description 

Delicate aromas of Bartlett pear and fresh-sliced pineapple are lifted by notes of jasmine and citrus zest, maturing into subtle warming tones of baking spices, brioche, and vanilla custard. On the palate, the flavors are intensely focused, yet the pleasant round body fills the mouth with a wide, elegant mid-palate. The salinity and minerality of this wine bring a refinement that is gently carried by bright, integrated acidity. 

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2021

Wine Advocate 94 Points: Pretty aromas of honey, allspice and roasted almonds complement a core of peach and quince fruit. The medium-bodied palate is satiny and expansive with a dynamic interplay of textural breadth and energetic acidity, offering layered flavors on the finish.

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points: Refined and elegant, with notes of pure white flowers, lemon curd, and white peach. Medium to full-bodied with a silky mouthfeel driven by citrus — tangerine, orange sherbet — with great texture and a long, decadent finish.

Wine Spectator 91 Points: Polished and sleekly layered, with honeydew, pear and spice flavors that build structure toward the handsome finish. Drink now through 2026. 220 cases made.

Winemaker Description

Brick House Chardonnay Cascadia Organic Biodynamic 2021 750ml

Brick House’s “Cascadia” is the winery’s reserve-level Chardonnay — a highly regarded, estate-grown wine from Oregon’s Ribbon Ridge AVA. Hand-crafted on a 40-acre farm that has been at the forefront of sustainable viticulture for decades, it is made with an Old World sensibility: organic and biodynamic farming, minimal intervention, and an unwavering focus on terroir expression. One of Oregon’s benchmark Chardonnays.

Pairing Suggestions

• Rich Seafood: Scallops in brown butter, roasted salmon, or halibut with lemon-cream sauce.
• Poultry: Roast chicken with herbes de Provence or pheasant.
• Earthy Dishes: Mushroom risotto, truffle pasta, or roasted root vegetables.

Binyamina | Chardonnay Reserve | Galilee | Israel | 2023 | Kosher | Mevushal

Binyamina is one of Israel's most established and respected wineries, founded in 1952 in the town of the same name at the foot of Mount Carmel. The Reserve range represents the estate's commitment to producing varietally expressive, terroir-driven wines from Israel's finest growing regions. The 2023 Chardonnay Reserve is sourced from the Galilee — Israel's premier wine region, where the elevated terrain, cool nights and Mediterranean climate create ideal conditions for producing fresh, structured white wines with genuine complexity and aging potential.

The wine is vinified with careful attention to preserving the natural freshness and aromatic character of the Chardonnay grape, with judicious oak aging adding texture, depth and a subtle creamy richness without overwhelming the fruit. The result is a well-balanced, food-friendly Chardonnay that reflects both the warmth of the Israeli sun and the cooling influence of the Galilee's altitude.

The nose opens with aromas of ripe peach, golden apple, citrus and white flowers, with hints of vanilla, toasted oak and a touch of honey. The palate is medium-bodied and well structured, with flavors of stone fruit, lemon curd and subtle spice, balanced by fresh acidity and a smooth, lingering finish. Kosher and Mevushal, making it suitable for all kosher occasions.

Serve at 48–52°F. Pairs beautifully with roast chicken, veal escalope in lemon sauce, grilled fish, light pasta with cream sauce, fragrant hard cheeses such as Gruyère or Pecorino, and the classic dishes of the Shabbat and holiday table.

• Producer: Binyamina Wine Winery
• Cuvée: Reserve
• Appellation: Galilee, Israel
• Grape Variety: Chardonnay (100%)
• Vintage: 2023
• Kosher Certification: Kosher; Mevushal
• Style: Dry white wine, medium-bodied
• Bottle Size: 750ml

93 Points — John Gilman, View From the Cellar
92 Points — Wine Spectator
90–92 Points — Jasper Morris, MW, Inside Burgundy

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle’s 2023 Meursault Les Vignes Blanches is a beautifully concentrated, old-vine Chardonnay from a distinctive village-level climat situated below the celebrated Santenots vineyards. Combining the generous orchard-fruit character traditionally associated with Meursault with vibrant acidity, pale limestone minerality and finely integrated oak, this is a rich yet precise white Burgundy of remarkable depth and persistence.

The wine comes from a tiny 0.41-hectare parcel planted predominantly in 1948. Although Les Vignes Blanches is classified as Meursault Village, its old vines, individual terroir and limited production give it a personality that clearly distinguishes it from a blended village Meursault.

The Place

Meursault lies in the heart of Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune, immediately south of Volnay and north of Puligny-Montrachet. The village is internationally renowned for Chardonnay that combines richness, breadth and silky texture with fresh acidity and a distinctive mineral character.

Meursault has no Grand Cru vineyards, yet its finest Premier Cru and village-level climats produce some of Burgundy’s most complex and age-worthy white wines. The appellation’s varied marl, limestone, gravel and clay soils allow Chardonnay to express a wide range of styles, from supple and nutty to firm, citrus-driven and intensely mineral.

The Les Vignes Blanches Vineyard

Les Vignes Blanches is situated low on the Meursault slope, below Santenots and just south of the Meursault Premier Cru Santenots vineyards. It rests beneath a small rocky rise that contributes natural drainage and an unusually pronounced mineral character for this part of the slope.

The climat takes its name from the pale, gravelly limestone visible throughout the vineyard. Beneath and among this limestone is a meaningful clay component that retains water during warm, dry growing seasons. This combination gives the wine both richness and tension: clay contributes depth, texture and ripe orchard fruit, while the gravelly limestone provides freshness, salinity and mineral definition.

Many growers traditionally blend fruit from Les Vignes Blanches into a broader village-level Meursault. Domaine Clos de la Chapelle instead bottles the parcel separately to preserve its individual character and expression of place.

The Domaine’s Parcel

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle farms approximately 0.41 hectare—just over one acre—of Les Vignes Blanches. Most of the Chardonnay vines were planted in 1948, immediately following the Second World War, making them more than 75 years old at the time of the 2023 harvest.

These deeply rooted old vines naturally produce small quantities of concentrated fruit. Their extensive root systems penetrate multiple soil layers, helping the vines maintain balance during dry conditions and giving the finished wine notable depth, complexity and persistence.

The 2023 growing season demonstrated the value of the site’s water-retentive clay. According to Jasper Morris, the soils held sufficient moisture during the vintage, allowing the grapes to achieve generous ripeness while retaining adequate acidity.

The Grape: 100% Chardonnay.

Chardonnay is Burgundy’s principal white grape and an exceptionally transparent interpreter of terroir. In Les Vignes Blanches, it combines the broad texture and ripe orchard-fruit profile associated with Meursault with citrus freshness, oyster-shell salinity and a finely structured mineral finish.

Viticulture

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle’s vineyards are certified organic and are cultivated according to biodynamic principles. The estate avoids chemical pesticides and fertilizers, regularly ploughs its soils and carefully controls yields to encourage healthy vines and concentrated fruit.

The grapes are harvested by hand and sorted before pressing. The domaine’s objective is to preserve the purity of the fruit while allowing the individual soil, vine age and vintage conditions of each small parcel to remain clearly expressed in the finished wine.

Winemaking and Aging

The Chardonnay is whole-cluster pressed, followed by approximately 24 hours of settling. Fermentation and maturation take place in a combination of French oak barrel sizes, helping the wine develop texture and complexity without allowing the oak to dominate its old-vine fruit or mineral character.

The domaine may use up to 30% new oak for its white wines, with barrels sourced from several respected cooperages. Bâtonnage may be performed once per week for as long as six weeks after fermentation, or until malolactic fermentation begins.

The 2023 Les Vignes Blanches was matured for approximately 14 months in barrel. The use of different barrel sizes helps preserve freshness while contributing restrained notes of vanilla, toast and brioche. The wine is bottled approximately 15 to 18 months after harvest.

Tasting Notes

The 2023 displays a full lemon-yellow color and an expressive, layered bouquet of ripe peach, pear, yellow apple and citrus. With air, aromas of citronella, white flowers, toasted brioche, hazelnut and delicate vanilla emerge alongside a subtle reductive, mineral tension.

The palate is supple, concentrated and beautifully layered. Rich orchard fruit and ripe peach are balanced by vibrant acidity and savory notes of oyster shell and pale limestone. The old vines provide impressive mid-palate depth, while the wine’s mineral structure keeps its generous fruit precise and focused.

Notes of vanilla and toasted brioche are finely integrated into the fruit rather than dominant. The wine builds steadily across the palate, concluding with a long, refined and complex finish marked by citrus, orchard fruit, saline minerals and gentle oak spice.

This is a generous yet disciplined expression of Meursault—reminiscent of the traditional, richly textured style of the village, but supported by enough acidity and mineral tension to remain vibrant and age gracefully.

Professional Ratings

93 Points — John Gilman, View From the Cellar | John Gilman awarded the 2023 Meursault Les Vignes Blanches 93 points, recognizing it as one of the leading white wines in Domaine Clos de la Chapelle’s highly regarded 2023 collection.

92 Points — Wine Spectator: Citronella, peach, oyster shell, vanilla and toasted brioche flavors ride the supple texture in this harmonious white. Vibrant and succulent while building to the refined, complex aftertaste. Best from 2027 through 2040.

90–92 Points — Jasper Morris, MW, Inside Burgundy
Barrel Sample:  Old vines on clay soil below Santenots. A full lemon yellow, with a little reductive tension on the nose. Made in a mix of wood sizes. Nicely layered flesh and fruit on the palate, quite a rich orchard fruit, but balanced by adequate acidity These soils retained the water sufficiently in 2023. A good long finish, rather lovely and not far from old style Meursault. Barrel Sample: 90-92

The 2023 Vintage

The 2023 vintage produced generous, ripe fruit across the Côte de Beaune, but the finest sites maintained the acidity and mineral structure necessary for balance. At Les Vignes Blanches, the clay component retained valuable moisture during warm and dry periods, helping the old vines ripen steadily without losing freshness.

The result is a wine with generous fruit and textural richness, balanced by adequate acidity, limestone tension and a persistent mineral finish.

The Domaine

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle is a small, historic Burgundy estate based in Bligny-lès-Beaune and closely associated with Volnay. The domaine takes its name from the historic Volnay Premier Cru Clos de la Chapelle monopole, a walled vineyard situated opposite the Gothic chapel of Notre Dame de Pitié.

The property was acquired in 2011 by Mark O’Connell and his Burgundian partners and renamed Domaine Clos de la Chapelle in honor of its flagship vineyard. The estate now owns and farms approximately five hectares divided among 16 individual terroirs in Volnay, Pommard, Beaune, Pernand-Vergelesses, Meursault and Corton.

The vineyards are certified organic and farmed according to biodynamic principles. Grapes are harvested by hand, yields are deliberately restricted and intervention in the cellar is kept to a minimum. Total production across the entire domaine averages only approximately 1,800 cases annually.

Food Pairing

Meursault Les Vignes Blanches is an excellent accompaniment to lobster, scallops, crab, halibut, turbot, sea bass and sole meunière. Its combination of richness and acidity also pairs beautifully with roast chicken, pork tenderloin, veal in cream sauce and poultry with mushrooms.

Additional pairings include lobster ravioli, mushroom risotto, creamy pasta, roasted cauliflower and mature cheeses such as Comté, Gruyère or Délice de Bourgogne.

Serving and Cellaring

The domaine recommends serving the wine at approximately 16°C, or 61°F. It may initially be poured slightly cooler and allowed to warm gradually in the glass, revealing additional orchard fruit, hazelnut, brioche and mineral complexity.

When enjoyed young, opening the bottle approximately 30 minutes before serving will help the wine’s subtle reductive character dissipate. Its old-vine concentration, acidity and mineral structure should support graceful development through 2040.

Producer: Domaine Clos de la Chapelle
Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Subregion: Côte de Beaune
Village: Meursault
Appellation: Meursault AOC
Vineyard: Les Vignes Blanches
Classification: Village
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Vineyard Holding: Approximately 0.41 hectare
Vine Age: Predominantly planted in 1948
Location: Below Santenots on the lower Meursault slope
Soil: Gravelly pale limestone with water-retentive clay
Farming: Certified organic; biodynamic principles
Harvest: Hand harvested
Pressing: Whole-cluster pressed
Aging: Approximately 14 months in French oak
Alcohol: 13.5%
Wine Type: Dry white wine
Bottle Size: 750ml

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Meursault Les Vignes Blanches 2023

92 Points - Wine Spectator
89-91 Points - Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy

Two vineyards. Two soils. One seamless expression of Meursault. Domaine Clos de la Chapelle's 2023 Cuvee Confluence draws from En Marcausse and Les Vignes Blanches, contiguous lieux-dits whose contrasting geology gives this village-level Chardonnay a complexity that rivals many a Premier Cru. Clay-driven richness meets limestone-driven tension, and the result is a white Burgundy of genuine depth, harmony and length.

The Place

Meursault occupies the heart of the Cote de Beaune, flanked by Volnay to the north and Puligny-Montrachet to the south. It is one of Burgundy's most celebrated white-wine villages, internationally recognized for Chardonnay that combines generous orchard fruit, hazelnut complexity and a pronounced limestone-derived mineral character with vibrant, food-friendly acidity.

Although Meursault has no Grand Cru vineyards, its finest Premier Cru and village-level climats produce some of Burgundy's most distinctive and age-worthy whites. The appellation encompasses approximately 382.64 hectares of white-wine production, including 103.79 hectares of Premier Cru, planted predominantly to Chardonnay in a complex mosaic of limestone, marl, clay and gravel.

The Meaning of Cuvee Confluence

The name Confluence speaks to a meeting of opposites: old vines and young, two adjoining vineyards, two distinct but complementary terroirs. Although En Marcausse and Les Vignes Blanches share a boundary, the soil composition shifts noticeably at the point where one vineyard meets the other, and it is precisely this contrast that defines the wine.

The Vineyards

En Marcausse lies immediately below Les Petits Charrons on the Meursault slope. Natural drainage is encouraged by a break in the topography, while the vineyard's higher clay content contributes body, texture and breadth to the finished wine. The domaine farms approximately 0.20 hectare here.

Les Vignes Blanches takes its name from the pale, gravelly limestone that characterizes the site. These chalkier soils deliver greater mineral tension, freshness and precision. The domaine holds approximately 0.41 hectare, farmed from both younger and older vines. For the 2023 vintage, Jasper Morris noted that a section previously planted to Pinot Noir has been top-grafted to Chardonnay, a change that will further strengthen the domaine's white-wine holdings from 2025 onward.

The Grape: 100% Chardonnay

Chardonnay is uniquely sensitive to variations in soil, elevation and exposure. In the limestone and clay soils of Meursault, it produces wines of generous orchard-fruit character, citrus freshness, hazelnut complexity and a distinct mineral or saline undertone. In Cuvee Confluence, it expresses both sides of the blend simultaneously: the rounded texture and ripeness of clay-rich En Marcausse, and the citrus-driven freshness and chalky tension of Les Vignes Blanches.

Viticulture and Winemaking

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle's vineyards are certified organic and cultivated according to biodynamic principles. Soils are worked regularly, chemical pesticides and fertilizers are avoided, and yields are carefully controlled to encourage concentration and a clear expression of each individual site.

Grapes are harvested by hand and carefully sorted. Vinification is conducted with minimal intervention, allowing the contrasting personalities of En Marcausse and Les Vignes Blanches to remain visible in the finished wine. Fermentation and maturation in oak barrels add texture and complexity, with restrained notes of toast, vanilla and spice that integrate into rather than dominate the wine's fruit and mineral core.

Tasting Notes

The 2023 Cuvee Confluence opens with aromas of ripe peach, yellow apple and pear, lifted by citrus peel, white flowers, toasted hazelnut and a delicate oak influence. The palate is supple, juicy and harmonious, with flavors of peach, apple tart and ripe citrus framed by oyster-shell salinity and finely integrated toasted oak. The clay-rich component contributes roundness and depth; the limestone soils bring acidity, mineral tension and focus. Subtle notes of vanilla, butterscotch and hazelnut emerge toward the finish. Despite its generous fruit and texture, the wine remains fresh and balanced, concluding with impressive harmony, mineral persistence and length.

Professional Ratings

92 Points - Wine Spectator: This beautifully integrated white features peach, apple tart and oyster shell flavors framed with toasty oak. Supple and juicy, this ends with echoes of vanilla and butterscotch. Shows excellent harmony and length.

89-91 Points - Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy (Barrel Sample): The Cuvee Confluence comes from the top of Vignes Blanches and Marcausses, where the pinot part has now been top-grafted to chardonnay (which will really deliver from 2025). Mid lemon yellow. A pleasing fruit on the cusp between white and yellow, decent acidity, some length, not quite the flow which gave me such pleasure in the Vignes Blanches.

The Domaine

Domaine Clos de la Chapelle is a small, historic Cote de Beaune estate based in Bligny-les-Beaune, closely associated with the renowned village of Volnay. It takes its name from the Volnay Premier Cru Clos de la Chapelle monopole, a walled vineyard situated opposite the historic chapel of Notre Dame de Pitie, acquired in 2011 and renamed in honor of its flagship terroir.

Today the estate farms approximately five hectares across 16 individual terroirs in Volnay, Pommard, Beaune, Pernand-Vergelesses, Meursault and Corton. All vineyards are certified organic and farmed biodynamically. Grapes are harvested by hand, yields are kept low and cellar intervention is minimized. Total production averages only approximately 1,800 cases annually, making each bottling highly limited.

Food Pairing

Cuvee Confluence is an excellent partner for roast chicken, sole meuniere, halibut with brown butter, sea bass, scallops and lobster ravioli. It also pairs beautifully with creamy mushroom dishes, risotto, pork tenderloin, veal in a light cream sauce and mature cheeses such as Comte or Gruyere.

Serving and Cellaring

Serve at approximately 16 degrees C (61 degrees F). Slightly cooler service will emphasize citrus and mineral character; allowing the wine to warm gradually in the glass will reveal additional texture, hazelnut and oak-spice complexity. The 2023 is expressive enough to enjoy young with a little air, but its acidity and mineral structure should support several years of further development in the cellar.

Producer: Domaine Clos de la Chapelle
Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Subregion: Cote de Beaune
Village: Meursault
Appellation: Meursault AOC
Classification: Village
Cuvee: Cuvee Confluence
Vineyard Sources: En Marcausse and Les Vignes Blanches
Source Parcels: Approximately 0.61 hectare combined
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Soils: Clay-rich (En Marcausse); pale gravelly limestone (Les Vignes Blanches)
Farming: Certified organic; biodynamic principles
Harvest: Hand harvested
Wine Type: Dry white wine
Bottle Size: 750ml

Domaine Chanson Mercurey Blanc — Côte Chalonnaise 2022

Domaine Chanson is one of Burgundy’s most storied estates, with roots stretching back to 1750. As specialists in the great terroirs of Burgundy for nearly three centuries, Chanson farms its vineyards with a singular focus on terroir expression and precision winemaking. The Mercurey Blanc is sourced from mid-slope, east-facing Chardonnay vineyards in the heart of the Côte Chalonnaise — a region that delivers Burgundian character at a fraction of the Côte de Beaune price. The 2022 vintage was defined by heat and drought, yet well-timed August rains ensured balanced ripening and produced whites of exceptional freshness, precision, and balance. This bottle earned a Double Gold Medal at the Sakura Wine Awards.

The nose is pale gold and inviting: floral fragrances, citrus zest, yellow-fleshed fruit, and lightly toasted oak. On the palate, the wine is well-balanced and complex, with a dense, tight texture, well-integrated oak, and a long, fresh finish. Classic Côte Chalonnaise Chardonnay — precise, refreshing, and built for the table.

Double Gold Medal — Sakura Wine Awards

• Producer: Domaine Chanson, Beaune, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Mercurey AOC, Côte Chalonnaise
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Vineyard: Mid-slope, east-facing plots in Mercurey
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus zest, yellow-fleshed fruit, floral, lightly toasted oak, dense texture, fresh finish
• Best Paired With: White meats, poultry, regional cheeses (Citeaux, Langres, Époisses)

A Double Gold Burgundy Blanc from a 275-year-old estate — precise, refreshing Côte Chalonnaise Chardonnay at an honest price.

Hess Select Chardonnay Monterey County 2024 — Monterey County, California

Hess Collection is one of California’s most respected family-owned wineries, with estates spanning Napa Valley and beyond. Hess Select is their approachable everyday label — crafted with the same attention to quality as their flagship wines but designed for the table. This Monterey County Chardonnay draws from one of California’s premier cool-climate appellations, where Pacific breezes off Monterey Bay preserve natural acidity and allow grapes to ripen slowly and evenly, producing Chardonnay of genuine character at an honest price.

A thoughtful blend of 70% stainless steel and 30% French oak fermentation keeps the wine fresh and bright while adding a touch of richness. The nose opens with aromas of grilled pineapple, star fruit, and vanilla, leading to a medium-bodied palate of sliced peach and golden apple, with a touch of crème brûlée on the finish — clean, balanced, and crowd-pleasing.

70% stainless, 30% French oak — Monterey freshness with just enough richness to satisfy.

• Producer: Hess Collection (Hess Select), Napa Valley, California
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Monterey County
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Fermentation: 70% stainless steel, 30% French oak
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Grilled pineapple, star fruit, vanilla, sliced peach, golden apple, crème brûlée finish
• Best Paired With: Roast chicken, grilled halibut, lobster mac and cheese, creamy pasta, Brie, aged cheddar, goat cheese

Consistent, crowd-pleasing, and genuinely well-made — Hess Select Chardonnay is the benchmark for everyday California white.

A classic, mineral-driven Chablis that beautifully reflects the lesser-known Cote de Brechain. A pale, shimmering gold in the glass, the wine opens with aromas of tart green apple, lemon zest, and soft, white flower hints. These notes of apple and citrus carry over to the palate, where they are met by a prominent, yet balanced acidity and the characteristic, oh-so-slightly chalky Chablis minerality that provides for a satisfying, lengthy finish.

Louis Jadot Chassagne-Montrachet 2023

Louis Jadot is one of Burgundy's most respected and enduring négociants, with a history stretching back to 1859. From their base in Beaune, Jadot has long been a benchmark producer across the entire Côte d'Or, combining meticulous sourcing with sensitive, terroir-driven vinification. Their village-level Chassagne-Montrachet is a masterclass in what this historically significant appellation can deliver: a full-bodied, expressive Chardonnay that serves as a key introduction to the great whites of the Côte de Beaune.

Assembled from multiple sites across this large and diverse village appellation, the wine benefits from Jadot's deep expertise and rigorous approach. Careful sorting and gentle vinification are followed by 16–18 months of aging in large oak barrels (30% new), with malolactic fermentation controlled to preserve a lively, fresh sensation on the palate.

The Wine Advocate | The 2023 vintage was shaped by an unusually warm and dry winter and early spring, followed by much-needed rainfall in March that ensured homogenous flowering in May. Stormy weather in June gave way to a mild late summer, capped by an unusual September heat wave. Harvest was completed on September 16th, with picking carried out exclusively in the cool morning hours to preserve freshness and aromatic precision. Pale gold in the glass, the wine is full-bodied and rich, with exotic citrus fruit, ripe pear, and candied floral notes. The palate is generous and layered, with a lively acidity that keeps the wine focused and elegant through a long, mineral finish.

Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Appellation: Chassagne-Montrachet AOC, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France
Vintage: 2023
Format: 750ml | ABV: 13.5%
Aging: 16–18 months in large oak barrels, 30% new oak | Malolactic fermentation: yes

MONTES ALPHA CHARDONNAY ACONCAGUA COSTA 2023 | 750ML

🇨🇱 Chile — Chardonnay | Aconcagua Costa

Brilliant, light golden-yellow in color. The perfumed nose offers notes of cherimoya, ripe pineapple, pear, and banana, with a mineral undercurrent that speaks to the terroir. On the palate, crisp acidity complements a voluptuous structure and body, with flavors of grilled pineapple, spice-poached pear, and toasted hazelnut. The finish is long, elegant, and vibrant, with a lingering note of lemon peel.

Grown in the Aconcagua Costa region, where proximity to the Pacific Ocean and pronounced sea breezes allow Chardonnay to ripen slowly and completely. Soils range from sandy to clay-loam, lending enormous complexity and cold-climate typicity. Aged 35% in French oak barrels for 12 months.

Pairs well with: White meat, fish, and pasta.

92 Points — Wine Spectator
“Bright verbena and citrus blossom notes lead in this moderately rich style, with grilled pineapple and spice-poached pear flavors that are sleek in feel and linger, adding toasted hazelnut and lemon peel on the vibrant finish.” (Vintage 2023). 
— Aaron Romano

90 Points — Wine Enthusiast
“Hints of salt emerge on the nose of this medium-bodied Chardonnay. The creamy palate shows notes of citrus, spices, and herbs. Moderate freshness brings balance and drives the flavors through a lasting finish.” — Jesica Vargas. (Vintage 2023). 

Grape: Chardonnay
Region: Aconcagua Costa, Chile
Vintage: 2023
Format: 750ml
Scores: 92 pts Wine Spectator | 90 pts Wine Enthusiast

Save 20% when you bundle two of Louis Jadot's finest Burgundy Chardonnays. This pairing brings together the bright, unoaked freshness of the Mâcon-Villages with the richer, more structured elegance of the Pouilly-Fuissé — a perfect introduction to the range of styles the Mâconnais has to offer.

• Louis Jadot Mâcon-Villages 2024 — Unoaked, crisp, and refreshing. Apple blossom, citrus zest, and limestone minerality. Wine Spectator 88.
• Louis Jadot Pouilly-Fuissé 2024 — Barrel-fermented, rich, and precise. Apple, hazelnut, and a long mineral finish. A "mini-Meursault" at an approachable price.

Both wines are 100% Chardonnay from Burgundy, France, and are ideal for pairing with seafood, poultry, and creamy cheeses.

Bundle includes one bottle of each. 20% savings applied automatically.

MAN Family Wines "Padstal" Chardonnay is a fresh, fruit-driven expression of South African Chardonnay, crafted to highlight purity, balance, and exceptional drinkability. Named after the traditional roadside farm stalls, or padstals, found throughout South Africa, this wine celebrates local hospitality and simple pleasures.

Bright aromas of ripe peach, Golden Delicious apple, citrus blossom, and pineapple lead into a smooth palate layered with juicy stone fruit, lemon zest, and hints of tropical fruit. Gentle oak aging adds subtle notes of vanilla and toasted almond without overshadowing the wine's vibrant fruit character. Crisp acidity keeps the finish fresh, clean, and beautifully balanced.

Food Pairing

An excellent match for grilled shrimp, lobster, roast chicken, creamy pasta dishes, seafood risotto, salmon, pork tenderloin, and mild cheeses. It also makes an ideal aperitif.

Serving Temperature

Serve chilled at 48–52°F (9–11°C).

Approachable, versatile, and consistently overdelivering for the price, MAN Family Wines "Padstal" Chardonnay is a superb everyday Chardonnay that offers outstanding quality and value from South Africa's renowned Western Cape.

Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape (Cape Coast)
Wine Type: White Wine
Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Vintage: 2025

Domaine Michel Niellon · Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru · Clos de la Maltroie · Burgundy · 2023

Domaine Michel Niellon is one of Chassagne-Montrachet’s most celebrated small estates — a benchmark producer whose premier cru holdings represent some of the finest terroir in the Côte de Beaune. Clos de la Maltroie is one of the appellation’s most distinguished premier cru climats: a walled enclosure with deep limestone soils that consistently produces Chardonnay of impressive weight, precision, and aging potential. Niellon’s approach is classically Burgundian — minimal intervention, terroir-driven, and built for the cellar. The 2023 vintage in Burgundy delivered wines of exceptional freshness and aromatic intensity, and the Clos de la Maltroie is no exception.

Golden lemon in the glass, the wine opens with aromas of tropical fruit, peach, pear, petrol, and hawthorn flowers. On the palate, succulent and concentrated — juicy peach, fresh pear, exotic fruits, and bright citrus lead to a lemon zest finish of real length and precision. Medium to full-bodied, lively, and tightly wound around bright acids and chalky extract. Ready soon but with the capacity to age gracefully for a decade or more.

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

Allen Meadows 90 Points | A more floral-suffused nose offers up vaguely exotic aromas of white peach, lychee and passion fruit along with just sliced citrus hints. I very much like the sense of underlying tension and caressing mouthfeel the barely middle weight flavors display before culminating in a balanced, long and agreeably dry finale. This too could use better depth but the development potential seems clear.

Expert Reviews — Prior Vintages

“Pale lemon color. The character shows more on the palate, white fruit with a little sucrosity. Ready soon but with capacity to age.”
— Wine Spectator · 92 Points

“Aromas of pear, beeswax, toasted nuts, white flowers and youthful reduction. A medium to full-bodied, lively and tightly wound young wine built around bright acids and chalky extract.”
— Wine Advocate · 91 Points

• Producer: Domaine Michel Niellon, Chassagne-Montrachet, Burgundy, France
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru
• Climat: Clos de la Maltroie
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Dry white — concentrated, mineral, chalky
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Tropical fruit, peach, pear, petrol, hawthorn, exotic fruit, lemon zest, chalky finish
• Pairings: Lobster, turbot, Dover sole, scallops, roast chicken with cream sauce, aged Comté
• Cellar: Drink now through 2035+

Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru — Clos de la Maltroie from one of Burgundy’s most meticulous small estates. Concentrated, chalky, and built to age.

Kendall-Jackson | Santa Barbara County, California | Chardonnay | 2023

Santa Barbara County's unique east-west mountain orientation channels cold Pacific breezes deep into the estate vineyards of the Santa Maria and Los Alamos Valleys — a geological quirk that produces grapes of exceptional intensity and natural acidity. Aged in partly new French oak, the Grand Reserve Chardonnay delivers a creamy, layered texture grounded by bright minerality from the region's calcareous soils. This is KJ at its most refined: lush, structured, and built for the table.

Clones: Dijon and Rued
Oak: Partly new French oak
Drink: Now–2028

Tasting Notes

• Lush tropical fruit, citrus, and floral notes on the nose
• Vanilla, spice, and calciferous minerality on the palate
• Creamy mouthfeel | Bright acidity | Long, rich finish

Pairings: Crab cakes, scallops, roast chicken, soft cheeses, creamy pasta

From one of the pioneering wineries of the Russian River Valley, Davis Bynum River West Vineyard Chardonnay 2023 captures the richness and elegance that have made this region one of California's premier homes for Chardonnay. Sourced from the acclaimed River West Vineyard, this beautifully balanced wine combines vibrant fruit, refreshing acidity, and refined texture. 

The nose opens with expressive aromas of Gala apple, ripe nectarine, lemon peel, and toasted hazelnut, accented by delicate hints of citrus blossom and vanilla. On the palate, layers of orchard fruit and bright citrus unfold across a rich, textured mouthfeel. Fresh acidity provides lift and energy, while subtle oak influence adds complexity without overwhelming the wine's natural fruit character. The finish is long and polished, with lingering notes of salted lemon, pineapple, and baking spice.

A versatile and food-friendly Chardonnay, this Russian River Valley bottling pairs beautifully with roast chicken, grilled salmon, lobster, crab cakes, creamy pasta dishes, and aged cheeses.

Wine Enthusiast – 92 Points
"Aromas of Gala apple, nectarine, toasted hazelnut and lemon peel drive the nose of this acid-forward Chardonnay. The palate gives rich, pithy texture and sunny flavors of tart pineapple and citrus blossom, with salty lemon lingering on the finish." — Tom R. Capo

Tasting Notes

• Aromas: Gala apple, nectarine, lemon peel, toasted hazelnut
• Palate: Tart pineapple, citrus blossom, orchard fruit, subtle vanilla
• Body: Medium to full-bodied
• Style: Rich, vibrant, and beautifully balanced
• Finish: Long, fresh, and mineral-driven with lingering citrus notes

An elegant Russian River Valley Chardonnay that delivers both richness and precision, showcasing the distinctive character of one of California's most celebrated wine regions.

Antinori Napa Valley Chardonnay A-26 Vineyard — Napa Valley 2022

The Antinori family has been making wine for over six centuries, and their Napa Valley project brings that same uncompromising pursuit of excellence to California’s most celebrated appellation. The A-26 Vineyard Chardonnay is sourced from a single estate block in Napa Valley, vinified to showcase the site’s natural tension between richness and precision. The 2022 vintage is a tour de force — earning 95 points from James Suckling and 94 from Wine Spectator — a Chardonnay of extraordinary balance, energy, and detail that drinks beautifully now and will reward cellaring through 2031.

The nose is bright and inviting: white nectarine, Meyer lemon, salted lemon, marzipan, raw almonds, dried flowers, honeysuckle, and toasted brioche. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, delicate and sleek — a wonderful tension between rich aromatics and a juicy thread of fresh Fuji apple, lemon curd, and caramelized pineapple, all framed by beautiful, energizing acidity. The finish is silky, long, and highly detailed.

James Suckling 95 — “Delicate and sleek with beautiful acidity that brings balance and energy. Silky and lingering.” (Vintage 2022).

Wine Spectator 94 — “What makes this wine memorable is the wonderful tension between rich aromatics and its sleek, juicy thread of fresh Fuji apple, lemon curd and caramelized pineapple. Long, expressive and highly detailed finish.” (Vintage 2022). 

• Producer: Antinori, Napa Valley, California, USA
• Vintage: 2022
• Appellation: Napa Valley AVA
• Vineyard: A-26 Estate Vineyard
• Varietal: Chardonnay
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White nectarine, Meyer lemon, marzipan, honeysuckle, toasted brioche, Fuji apple, lemon curd, caramelized pineapple, silky finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2031
• Best Paired With: Lobster, roast halibut, truffle risotto, soft-ripened cheeses, roast chicken with cream sauce

Six centuries of Italian winemaking mastery, one exceptional Napa vineyard — Antinori’s A-26 Chardonnay is California through a Florentine lens.

Explore Newton Unfiltered Chardonnay Napa Valley

Winemaker Description

This profound and powerful Chardonnay exhibits a rich, complex intensity that can only be found in unfiltered wines. The grapes are predominantly grown in the Carneros region where bay breezes and morning fog combine to create the cooler climate ideal for growing Chardonnay rich with concentrated flavors.

The single square mile of hillside pioneered by Peter Newton in 1977 is an impressive site, with expansive vistas of Napa Valley and beyond. It was the conclusion of his irreverent quest to create wines that would capture the multifaceted character of Napa: embracing the radiant California sun whilst featuring the structure offered by the valley's cool, foggy nights.

He understood Spring Mountain was the place he was looking for to create this rare, fresh expression of Napa. The terraced mountain estate has less than one-fifth of its total 490 acres planted to vines at elevations ranging from 500 to 1,600 feet above sea level.

The non-farmed acreage remains in its native forested state providing natural habitat for indigenous wildlife.

Memo Summary Notes

The 2022 Newton Unfiltered Chardonnay (Napa Valley) is a benchmark for the "unfiltered" style in California—a technique Newton pioneered in the early 1980s. This wine is prized for its texture and complexity, which comes from bottled-in sediment that would normally be stripped away by filtration.

The "White Label" is the standard Napa Valley Unfiltered bottling. It sits above their entry-level "Skyside" line but below the ultra-premium "Single Vineyard" series (like the Beckstoffer Carneros Lake). It is widely considered one of the best value-to-quality ratios in luxury Napa Chardonnay.

Unique Winemaking Approach

Newton Unfiltered Chardonnay embodies a unique winemaking philosophy that emphasizes the true essence of the vineyard. By employing small-batch techniques and avoiding filtration, the wine retains its natural flavors and complexities. The result is a vibrant and rich Chardonnay that showcases the terroir of Napa Valley. This method is not only environmentally friendly but also allows the wine to express its authentic character.

Tasting Notes

This exquisite Chardonnay offers a delightful palate with notes of fresh pear, green apple, and hints of tropical fruits. The creamy texture is complemented by a subtle oak influence, providing depth without overwhelming the palate. You'll appreciate the wine's balanced acidity that leads to a lingering finish, making it perfect for pairing with seafood, poultry, or enjoyed alone.

Food Pairing and Serving Suggestions

Newton Unfiltered Chardonnay is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of dishes. For optimal enjoyment, serve it slightly chilled at 50-55°F. It complements grilled salmon, creamy pasta dishes, and even light salads exceptionally well. This wine is an excellent choice for both casual gatherings and special occasions, ensuring it meets the varied tastes of all wine enthusiasts.