Winemaker Notes: “Sonoma’s 2022 vintage offered gorgeous wines of purity, depth, and elegance. Late rain in 2021 set the stage for a strong growing season by replenishing soil moisture from the preceding dry years. An early bud break and moderate spring resulted in naturally small, concentrated berries. The high altitude of this spectacular mountain vineyard site moderated summer temperatures and stabilized ripening, easing the old vines to a perfect balance of sugar accumulation and acidity at harvest. In the winery, we were meticulous with our handling of the pristine fruit and used traditional winemaking methods to craft a wine that is the true expression of its distinguished origin. The resulting wine is dynamic yet poised, with an underlying energy and tension that comes through on the textured palate. It is a seamless expression of both site character and winemaking influence. From 40-year-old vines planted to a distinctive Wente clone, the 2022 “if and only if” Chardonnay opens with captivating aromas of pain grillé, lemon meringue, beeswax, and white stone fruits punctuated by alluring accents of sea spray, crushed stone, and allspice. The palate is a saturating elixir of nectarine and citrus oils with notes of dried white flower, citrus zest, and saline that finishes impressively long and complex. This is an elegant, dynamic, textural wine that has the vivacity to drink well for years to come.”

FMW 100 Points: “This Inaugural release will wow you from start to finish!  A gorgeous, and stunning beauty with a bouquet of orange blossom, toasted hazelnuts, fresh flowers, and a whiff of citrus that jump out of the glass. The wine has hints of minerality and a creamy nuttiness which reminds me of a Chassangne Montrachet.  Full in body, lush with great richness while not overbearing. A real class act, probably one of the best Chardonnays I have tasted so far. This youngster is very well-balanced, with the right amounts of fruit-acid ratios, leading into a long and elegant finish.  A real crowd-pleaser, that will please you too!”

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points: ” The 2022 Chardonnay If And Only If comes from the Alexander Mountain Estate Vineyard and pours a bright medium yellow color. It’s lifted and ripe, with a touch of flinty reduction, as well as notes of golden apples, baking spice, honeyed citrus, and poached pear. Full-bodied, it retains good freshness in its ripe, generous style, with a supple, rounded mouthfeel, a pleasing waxy texture, notes of hazelnut, and a long and mouthwatering, saline finish. This opulent but well-balanced wine has a lot to offer and should drink well over the next 8-10 years.”

Robert Parker 97 Points: “The 2022 Chardonnay If And Only If is a tank sample of the inaugural release from Sphaerics, tasted on November 27, 2023 and due to be bottled in January 2024. Grapes come from Jackson Family Wines’ Alexander Mountain Estate, and this first vintage is exclusively sourced from the Upper Barn Vineyard, planted in 1982. Harvested September 5, it was barrel fermented in 70% new French oak, underwent full malolactic conversion, and matured 11 months in barrel and an additional five months in stainless steel. It has alluring scents of toasty brioche, meringue and nutmeg with top notes of lemon confit, saline, and chalk. The medium-bodied palate is concentrated and expansive, its deep, candied citrus and white peach fruit working in tandem with a satiny texture to envelop the mouth. It features a well-integrated new oak character, just enough flintiness to add complexity and a long finish with dynamic flavors. It’s a beautiful pairing of tang and vibrancy with sunny California fruit. Just 210 cases were made.”

The Upper Barn Vineyard: The Chardonnay is sourced from the legendary Upper Barn site now known as “Alexander Mountain Estate Vineyard”, a source for some amazing 100 Point Marcassin wines. The parcel sourced for this wine is part of the original 1982 plantings that went into the bottlings of Marcassin (Gauer Vineyard Upper Barn) and Peter Michael (Mon Plaisir).  It’s a distinctive Wente clone planted 1800 feet up the stunning Alexander Mountain Estate Vineyard. There is something poetic about the lineage of winemakers who have worked with this Chardonnay parcel: starting with Helen Turley (for Marcassin and Peter Michael), to her protégé Mark Aubert (during his tenure at Peter Michael), and now to his protégé Laura Jones (for Sphaerics).  It is undoubtedly one of California’s greatest Chardonnay sites.