Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Chappellet — Grower Collection “Five Blocks” Calesa Vineyard Chardonnay 2020
Petaluma Gap AVA, Sonoma County, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview:
A very limited-production Chardonnay sourced from the Calesa Vineyard in the Petaluma Gap AVA. Built from cool-climate tension and precision, this 2020 vintage elevates the profile of the wine with greater depth, layered complexity, and remarkable balance while preserving the vibrant tropical-citrus core characteristic of the site.

Aromas & Flavors:
Intense yet refined aromas of lemon curd, tropical citrus, baked guava, white peach, and subtle lychee, intertwined with delicate white spices and hints of mandarin zest. The palate unfolds in layers with vibrant citrus energy, savory mineral nuances, and beautifully integrated oak.

Mouthfeel:
Exceptionally balanced and textured. Fresh acidity drives the wine from start to finish, while a striking tension on the back palate gives the wine precision and lift. Creamy without heaviness, polished without excess, finishing long, energetic, and remarkably composed.

Food Pairings:
Butter-poached lobster, scallops, roast chicken with herbs, creamy seafood pasta, miso-glazed cod, or aged Comté.

Verdict:
A serious and highly expressive Chardonnay that showcases how powerful and refined California Chardonnay can become in the right cool-climate hands. The 2020 clearly steps above the 2022 in complexity, texture, and overall precision while still maintaining the vibrant tropical freshness that defines the vineyard.

🍷 Did You Know?
The Petaluma Gap’s cold Pacific winds naturally slow ripening and thicken grape skins, helping Chardonnays develop both concentrated flavor intensity and the kind of acidity-driven tension more commonly associated with top cool-climate regions. Cheers! — 5 days ago

JH

9.0

Pretty pale pink; peach and lemon on the nose; grenadine, lemonade flavor — 8 months ago

Rubychick

9.3

Golgotha - Scholium Project 2010.
Widowmaker Block Hudson Vineyards.

Abe, the man who would be king, gifted this bottle (amongst many others) to me after being an Intern in 2013. They travelled from Napa to London to Western Australia.
15 years later on a Monday night of a week I wasn’t meant to be drinking…
I pulled it out of the wine fridge in Margaret River. Cork fresh as a daisy and some decent sediment on first pour. Aerated with Vinturi and poured. Some early VA blew away and a Star Was Born. The floral powderiness on my mid palate is intoxicating. Never before have I tasted a big inky, 15% delicate ballerina like this. So glad I opened it alone so we can have a week together understanding each other. Has to be Petite Syrah. Wine study X 1000 ♥️ Pretty Pimpin — a year ago

with See and Erika

Andrea Watt

9.1

BlackBerry, cherry, oak, and a touch of pepper. — 7 days ago

Andrea Watt

9.3

Black cherry, mushroom, and vanilla with a touch of oak. Rich but not overpowering. It’s smooth enough to drink alone but has enough acidity to stand up to food. — 4 months ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.2

Crisp, citrusy and with great acidity and freshness. This is one of the best and finest blanc de blancs from an independent grower we know: Rodolphe Peters does truly great champagne. — 7 months ago

with Jose, veronique and 1 other

Andrea Watt

9.1

Soft oak over vibrant fruit with pineapple, lemon, and peach. Crisp and mouthwatering. — 2 months ago

Lauren Golanty

8.9

Good not great. Raspberries prominent, light-medium weight. — 6 months ago

Mary Perrotta

9.0

Smooth and warm. Would pair well with a sharp cheese or a spicy curry — 7 months ago

Jim Stehli

9.3

Crisp and clean. Pear and nice acidity. Definitely feel the ☀️. This is a perfect glass. — 9 months ago