$50+/bottle under the original label
Good news folks...the bulk market is starting to offer up some gems. There is still a bit of a standoff over pricing, but things are starting to get reasonable again.
To wit: on offer today is a fantastic St. Helena Chardonnay - a rare gem in this appellation, not to mention Napa Valley in general! Why get $5,000-$6,000/ton for Chardonnay when you can get $8,000-$16,000+ for Cabernet?
I was offered this from one of my friends at a high-end custom crush facility in Napa Valley. Of course, they wouldn't tell me who the producer was (a client obviously), but I was able to discern the vineyard from the Lot code. Located literally just over the Rutherford/St. Helena border, just north of Zinfandel lane on the east side of the valley, just a stones throw from William Harrison to the southeast and Quintessa to the south on the other side of the knoll, this is good dirt.
Given this is custom crushed, contracted fruit raised in 30-35% new French oak, I cannot imagine this wine could sell for less than $50/bottle. It is your today for just $16/bottle!
Indeed, Chardonnay Lovers, it is TIME TO BACK UP THE TRUCK!
This is an absolutely delicious Chardonnay. The expressive bouquet of vanilla blossom and butter is warm and inviting, drawing you down into an amalgam of tropical and orchard fruit...think banana, mango and apple with a nice citrus lift. Wonderfully complex but it punches the umami button too...you just want to get this in your mouth. Perfectly ripe, succulent and rich on the palate with precision layering of oak and fruit to the point of seamlessness. Beautifully balanced with excellent length, this St. Helena Chardonnay is already drinking beautifully!
Like I said, there is not a lot of this to go around so grab this rare gem while you can!
100% Chardonnay
350 cases available
30-35% new French oak
14.7% alc.
