School House Vineyard
Spring Mountain District Chardonnay
Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, California, USA
Visited the vineyards with Tim Mosher on a hot late summer day at noon - Sep 3 2022. Drove through and tasted berries from the OG ungrafted DRC vines, old and new Pinot Noir vines, Grenache, Syrah and Carignan vines. It was a blast.
Barrel fermented, 10 months aging on lees which were stirred once a week, full malo. Yearly contract with Pride Mountains for making wine. Since 1996. 13.2% abv. Yellow delicious apples and other stone fruits, hazelnut, stony characters, butterscotch, Brioche, lemon curd, yeasty sea salt, smoke and flint. A mix of new Francis Fevre medium toast barrels (they get 12 new barrels every year) and 1 year old barrels from Pride Mountains. Ever since 2016 elevage was down to 10 months (instead of 18 months) for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Visited the vineyards with Tim Mosher on a hot late summer day at noon - Sep 3 2022. Drove through and tasted berries from the OG ungrafted DRC vines, old and new Pinot Noir vines, Grenache, Syrah and Carignan vines. It was a blast.
Barrel fermented, 10 months aging on lees which were stirred once a week, full malo. Yearly contract with Pride Mountains for making wine. Since 1996. 13.2% abv. Yellow delicious apples and other stone fruits, hazelnut, stony characters, butterscotch, Brioche, lemon curd, yeasty sea salt, smoke and flint. A mix of new Francis Fevre medium toast barrels (they get 12 new barrels every year) and 1 year old barrels from Pride Mountains. Ever since 2016 elevage was down to 10 months (instead of 18 months) for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Enjoyed the equally fine 2013 three weeks ago. The 2014, though a year younger, seems as mature now as it needs to be. Earthy minerality rounded by unsugared butterscotch caramels. Well balanced acid/alcohol. Not oaky.
Enjoyed the equally fine 2013 three weeks ago. The 2014, though a year younger, seems as mature now as it needs to be. Earthy minerality rounded by unsugared butterscotch caramels. Well balanced acid/alcohol. Not oaky.
Dec 3rd, 2020The butterscotch on the nose seemed to suggest this might be a sweeter, plump style of Chardonnay but on the palate it’s dry with a fine acid backbone and subtle minerality. A fine 7 year old and not oaky.
The butterscotch on the nose seemed to suggest this might be a sweeter, plump style of Chardonnay but on the palate it’s dry with a fine acid backbone and subtle minerality. A fine 7 year old and not oaky.
Nov 8th, 2020
Chablis in style, a little more acid on the back would be nice. But has the right balance and hint of the pencil shaving
Chablis in style, a little more acid on the back would be nice. But has the right balance and hint of the pencil shaving
Dec 20th, 2017
2004. Very flabby when we opened it and it was disappointing, but after about 30-45 minutes it opened up and the acidity came through and it was very good.
2004. Very flabby when we opened it and it was disappointing, but after about 30-45 minutes it opened up and the acidity came through and it was very good.
Jul 7th, 2015A fabulous Chardonnay. Great balance of fresh acidity and enough richness.
A fabulous Chardonnay. Great balance of fresh acidity and enough richness.
May 1st, 2015If white burgundy existed on spring mountain
If white burgundy existed on spring mountain
Oct 25th, 2013
School House Vineyard Spring Mountain Chardonnay 2013: Medium-bodied. Great balance & structure. Vibrant bold flavors of lemon curd, yellow apple, butter, vanilla, salt & a touch of caramel. Great minerality, low oak and a long persistent finish. Wow, so delicious & unexpected. All in all, a clean, refined & luscious (no sign of age!) Burgundy-style Napa Valley Chardonnay. This was an outstanding find, a unicorn?! Great weekend to all! Cheers🍷
School House Vineyard Spring Mountain Chardonnay 2013: Medium-bodied. Great balance & structure. Vibrant bold flavors of lemon curd, yellow apple, butter, vanilla, salt & a touch of caramel. Great minerality, low oak and a long persistent finish. Wow, so delicious & unexpected. All in all, a clean, refined & luscious (no sign of age!) Burgundy-style Napa Valley Chardonnay. This was an outstanding find, a unicorn?! Great weekend to all! Cheers🍷
Aug 12th, 2022
A slightly more advanced color. A nice balanced mid palate. cooler and collected. Precise. Very good.
A slightly more advanced color. A nice balanced mid palate. cooler and collected. Precise. Very good.
Jan 18th, 2018