Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Piña Cellars Chardonnay 2019
Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A very small-production Chardonnay sourced from the Low Vineyard in the Oak Knoll District, located next to the historic Muir-Hanna Vineyards (once linked to the famed 1976 Paris Tasting winner). Only a few hundred cases are made each year, making it one of Piña’s rarest bottlings.

Aromas & Flavors
Rich and concentrated, showing layers of orchard fruits (white peach, pear, apricot) with accents of honeysuckle, hazelnut, and brioche. Subtle baking spice and mineral notes weave in, reflecting both terroir and oak aging.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied with a creamy, satiny texture, balanced by refreshing acidity that keeps the palate lively. The finish is long and elegant, carrying flavors of stone fruit, nuts, and citrus zest.

Winemaking Notes
Crafted in a Burgundian-inspired style with extended élevage in French oak barrels (including new oak). The result is a Chardonnay that balances opulence with restraint, with the capacity to age several more years.

Food Pairing
Pairs beautifully with buttery lobster, roast chicken, creamy risottos, or brie and hazelnut cheese plates. Its freshness also makes it a great companion to lighter dishes like seared scallops or grilled peaches.

Verdict
An exceptional Napa Chardonnay with historic vineyard lineage and precision winemaking. Rich, complex, and cellar-worthy, yet ready to impress right now. A showstopper in Piña’s small but mighty portfolio. — 5 months ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

Pretty damn Burgundian effort here. Sappy cherry fruit, almost cherry liqueur-like, forest floor, crushed rock, a little baking spice. Intense yet nearly weightless in the mouth. Tannin resolved, great acids. Surprisingly low alcohol (12.4%). Very nice. — 5 years ago

T. Berghaus

9.8

Perfection. 8,5%, perfect balance, fine minerals, low/medium Acidity — 6 years ago

Jeremy

9.4

This one surprised me. Good right out of the bottle. Delicate fruit notes and an excellent balance of tanins and sweetness. Low acidity and very easy drinking but did not get boring. Very good wine. — a year ago

Manny Pena

9.0

Pink and purple in appearance, smells of red fruits, strawberry jam and a little licorice, a bit of oak. Medium acidity and low tannins, medium finish. — 4 years ago

Jeff Fowler

9.3

Best in a while. Fruit forward, low tannins, easy drinking. — 6 years ago

Sean Mulvihill

8.9

Very smooth and well balanced merlot. Vanilla, plum, and cherry. Love the low acidity on this one. — 6 years ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.2

Yum! Cranberry-rhubarb-rose water mid-summer glory. Low ABV, enough acidity to scrub a couple layers of enamel off your teeth. Perfection with fresh heirlooms, BBQ chicken, and cold spicy peanut noodles….I love basque Tzakolina with its vivacious light pink personality. Note to self: purchase a boatload before it’s gone. — 3 years ago

Kenneth Rosal

9.1

Appearance - Medium Ruby.

Nose - Medium Intensity of Nutmeg, Clove, and Black Cherry.

Palate - Dry. Medium Acidity. Low Tannin. Low Alcohol. Medium Body. Medium Intensity of Black Cherry, Tobacco, Clove, and Black Pepper. Medium Finish.

Conclusion - Very Good Quality Wine. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Tried 6mos ago. Began 1916, Juan Gil Giménez, great-grandfather of present generation, built winery in heart of Jumilla. Blue label spent 18 months in new oak (wine formally known as 18 mos representing time in bottle, now “Blue Label.” Monastrell, Cab Sauv & Syrah blend (60/30/10), low yield, aromas of red berry and toasty oak. Palate shows flavors of dark berry fruits, espresso, cacao and hints of sweet spice. Big dusty tannins, well integrated with oak, lingering, well balanced. Aged well, still going! — 6 years ago