Amici Cellars
Flora Marie Vineyard Chardonnay
Napa Valley, California, USA
I have made other reviews of the v.2020, but this 2018 vintage is something special, a true winemaker’s year marked by patience, balance, and reward. With a cool, even growing season and no major heat spikes, the fruit from Flora Marie Vineyard was picked at ideal ripeness, and it shows in every sip.
This Chardonnay is a masterclass in restraint and purity, offering a mineral-driven core laced with delicate salinity and soft white florals on the nose.
The palate is layered and evolving—baked pineapple, citrus zest, and yellow pear glide across a silky medium-to-full-bodied frame, all carried by a sense of poise and structure. The finish is long, clean, and quietly complex, never overreaching but deeply memorable.
Grafted from Montrachet clones (within Côte d’Or, specifically Côte de Beaune) onto the ridgelines of Russian River Valley, this bottling is a rare harmony of Burgundian heritage and Sonoma expression. If you find a bottle, don’t hesitate. It’s a wine that speaks for itself far beyond what words can express. Cheers!
I have made other reviews of the v.2020, but this 2018 vintage is something special, a true winemaker’s year marked by patience, balance, and reward. With a cool, even growing season and no major heat spikes, the fruit from Flora Marie Vineyard was picked at ideal ripeness, and it shows in every sip.
This Chardonnay is a masterclass in restraint and purity, offering a mineral-driven core laced with delicate salinity and soft white florals on the nose.
The palate is layered and evolving—baked pineapple, citrus zest, and yellow pear glide across a silky medium-to-full-bodied frame, all carried by a sense of poise and structure. The finish is long, clean, and quietly complex, never overreaching but deeply memorable.
Grafted from Montrachet clones (within Côte d’Or, specifically Côte de Beaune) onto the ridgelines of Russian River Valley, this bottling is a rare harmony of Burgundian heritage and Sonoma expression. If you find a bottle, don’t hesitate. It’s a wine that speaks for itself far beyond what words can express. Cheers!
Perhaps, this by far the most highly rated Chard from the Russian River Valley in Sonoma recently. Flora Marie Chardonnay is the best representation of the 2020 vintage top quality. This a Montrachet Clone from Burgundy. Plainful aromas of roasted cashews and almonds, it is peachy and white stony fruits on the palate and nose. Wonderful minerality and mild baked yellow apple, it shows its MLF as the custard and creamy texture and yet juicy finish takes you to the next level. If you are lucky to find it get it, because was made in very small batches as it was harvested right before the 2020 fires. This is a wine that can age amazingly! Cheers!
Perhaps, this by far the most highly rated Chard from the Russian River Valley in Sonoma recently. Flora Marie Chardonnay is the best representation of the 2020 vintage top quality. This a Montrachet Clone from Burgundy. Plainful aromas of roasted cashews and almonds, it is peachy and white stony fruits on the palate and nose. Wonderful minerality and mild baked yellow apple, it shows its MLF as the custard and creamy texture and yet juicy finish takes you to the next level. If you are lucky to find it get it, because was made in very small batches as it was harvested right before the 2020 fires. This is a wine that can age amazingly! Cheers!
Mar 21st, 2025This was exceptionally good. @Anthony Biagi strikes again. Can’t wait for Patria chard!
This was exceptionally good. @Anthony Biagi strikes again. Can’t wait for Patria chard!
Jun 21st, 2020