Lot 383
2022 St. Helena Chardonnay

This is a fantastic St. Helena Chardonnay - a rare gem in this appellation, not to mention Napa Valley in general! We were offered this from one of our friends at a high-end custom crush facility in Napa Valley. Of course, they wouldn't tell us who the producer was, but we were able to discern the vineyard from the Lot code. Located literally just over the Rutherford/St. Helena border, 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; long and short, this is good dirt. 

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!