Amici Cellars
Flora Marie Vineyard Chardonnay
Napa Valley, California, USA
Amici Cellars – Flora Marie Vineyard – Chard – 2018
Russian River Valley – Sonoma County – California, USA 🇺🇸
Overview
A benchmark New World Chardonnay and a true winemaker’s vintage. The 2018 growing season in Russian River Valley was cool and even, with no major heat spikes, allowing fruit from Flora Marie Vineyard to be harvested at ideal ripeness. This wine is all about patience, balance, and restraint, a Chardonnay that prioritizes purity and structure over excess, and one that quietly rivals top white Burgundies in poise and longevity.
Aromas & Flavors
Mineral-driven and refined on the nose, with delicate white florals and a subtle saline edge. The palate unfolds in layers: baked pineapple, citrus zest, yellow pear, and gentle stone fruit, all woven together with remarkable precision. The fruit is expressive yet never loud, framed by a quiet, savory mineral backbone.
Mouthfeel
Silky and composed, medium-to-full-bodied without weightiness. The texture glides across the palate with effortless balance, supported by fresh acidity and an underlying sense of tension. The finish is long, clean, and quietly complex, lingering without overreaching.
Food Pairings
Roasted chicken with herbs, seared scallops, halibut, lobster with olive oil or beurre blanc, mushroom risotto, or simply on its own as a contemplative glass. Equally at home at the table or in the cellar.
Verdict
A masterclass in restraint and purity. This is Chardonnay for those who value nuance, structure, and site expression over overt oak or power. Rare, hard to find, and deeply rewarding, one of the most compelling New World Chardonnays I’ve tasted.
Did You Know?
Flora Marie Vineyard is planted with Montrachet-derived clones from the Côte de Beaune, bringing Burgundian heritage into the cool-climate ridgelines of Russian River Valley, one reason this wine delivers such seamless balance between Old World elegance and New World clarity.
🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This is my favorite New World Chardonnay. Period. Elegant, layered, and quietly profound. If you ever come across a bottle, especially this 2018, don’t hesitate. It speaks far beyond what words can capture.
Amici Cellars – Flora Marie Vineyard – Chard – 2018
Russian River Valley – Sonoma County – California, USA 🇺🇸
Overview
A benchmark New World Chardonnay and a true winemaker’s vintage. The 2018 growing season in Russian River Valley was cool and even, with no major heat spikes, allowing fruit from Flora Marie Vineyard to be harvested at ideal ripeness. This wine is all about patience, balance, and restraint, a Chardonnay that prioritizes purity and structure over excess, and one that quietly rivals top white Burgundies in poise and longevity.
Aromas & Flavors
Mineral-driven and refined on the nose, with delicate white florals and a subtle saline edge. The palate unfolds in layers: baked pineapple, citrus zest, yellow pear, and gentle stone fruit, all woven together with remarkable precision. The fruit is expressive yet never loud, framed by a quiet, savory mineral backbone.
Mouthfeel
Silky and composed, medium-to-full-bodied without weightiness. The texture glides across the palate with effortless balance, supported by fresh acidity and an underlying sense of tension. The finish is long, clean, and quietly complex, lingering without overreaching.
Food Pairings
Roasted chicken with herbs, seared scallops, halibut, lobster with olive oil or beurre blanc, mushroom risotto, or simply on its own as a contemplative glass. Equally at home at the table or in the cellar.
Verdict
A masterclass in restraint and purity. This is Chardonnay for those who value nuance, structure, and site expression over overt oak or power. Rare, hard to find, and deeply rewarding, one of the most compelling New World Chardonnays I’ve tasted.
Did You Know?
Flora Marie Vineyard is planted with Montrachet-derived clones from the Côte de Beaune, bringing Burgundian heritage into the cool-climate ridgelines of Russian River Valley, one reason this wine delivers such seamless balance between Old World elegance and New World clarity.
🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This is my favorite New World Chardonnay. Period. Elegant, layered, and quietly profound. If you ever come across a bottle, especially this 2018, don’t hesitate. It speaks far beyond what words can capture.
Amici Cellars – Flora Marie Vineyard – Chard – 2020
Russian River Valley – Sonoma County – California, USA 🇺🇸
Overview
A standout New World Chardonnay and one of the finest expressions of the 2020 vintage from Russian River Valley. Sourced from Flora Marie Vineyard and crafted from Montrachet-derived clones, this wine was harvested just before the 2020 wildfires, resulting in a very limited and pristine production. It captures both vintage character and vineyard precision, balancing richness with clarity.
Aromas & Flavors
Elegant and expressive aromatics of roasted cashews and toasted almonds lead the nose, followed by ripe peach and white stone fruit. On the palate, notes of baked yellow apple, subtle citrus, and gentle creaminess unfold alongside a strong mineral core that keeps everything lifted and focused.
Mouthfeel
Medium-to-full-bodied with a silky, custard-like texture driven by malolactic fermentation, yet never heavy. Juicy acidity runs through the wine, providing freshness and length. The finish is polished, layered, and persistent.
Food Pairings
Butter-poached lobster, roasted chicken with herbs, scallops, creamy pasta dishes, mushroom risotto, or aged cheeses. Also excellent as a contemplative glass on its own.
Verdict
A complete Chardonnay that combines power, finesse, and age-worthy structure. Rare, highly expressive, and beautifully balanced, this is a benchmark Russian River Valley Chardonnay and a bottle worth seeking out.
Did You Know?
Flora Marie Vineyard is planted with Montrachet clones originating from Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune, lending this wine its refined texture, mineral tension, and exceptional aging potential.
Personal Pick Highlight
One of the highest-rated Chardonnays I’ve tasted from Russian River Valley. If you’re lucky enough to find a bottle, don’t hesitate, this wine delivers now and promises even more with time.
Amici Cellars – Flora Marie Vineyard – Chard – 2020
Russian River Valley – Sonoma County – California, USA 🇺🇸
Overview
A standout New World Chardonnay and one of the finest expressions of the 2020 vintage from Russian River Valley. Sourced from Flora Marie Vineyard and crafted from Montrachet-derived clones, this wine was harvested just before the 2020 wildfires, resulting in a very limited and pristine production. It captures both vintage character and vineyard precision, balancing richness with clarity.
Aromas & Flavors
Elegant and expressive aromatics of roasted cashews and toasted almonds lead the nose, followed by ripe peach and white stone fruit. On the palate, notes of baked yellow apple, subtle citrus, and gentle creaminess unfold alongside a strong mineral core that keeps everything lifted and focused.
Mouthfeel
Medium-to-full-bodied with a silky, custard-like texture driven by malolactic fermentation, yet never heavy. Juicy acidity runs through the wine, providing freshness and length. The finish is polished, layered, and persistent.
Food Pairings
Butter-poached lobster, roasted chicken with herbs, scallops, creamy pasta dishes, mushroom risotto, or aged cheeses. Also excellent as a contemplative glass on its own.
Verdict
A complete Chardonnay that combines power, finesse, and age-worthy structure. Rare, highly expressive, and beautifully balanced, this is a benchmark Russian River Valley Chardonnay and a bottle worth seeking out.
Did You Know?
Flora Marie Vineyard is planted with Montrachet clones originating from Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune, lending this wine its refined texture, mineral tension, and exceptional aging potential.
Personal Pick Highlight
One of the highest-rated Chardonnays I’ve tasted from Russian River Valley. If you’re lucky enough to find a bottle, don’t hesitate, this wine delivers now and promises even more with time.
This 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