Sphaerics 2023 “if and only if” Chardonnay “Alexander Mountain Estate (aka) Upper Barn Vineyard” Alexander Valley 100 Points

Winemaker Notes: “The 2023 “if and only if” unwinds in the glass with seductive aromas of lemon oil, chamomile tea, crème brulée, and almond croissant accentuated with alluring notes of candied ginger and flint. Concentrated and persistent with opulent layers of orchard fruits, the satiny palate is punctuated by mineral sparks and framed by a crystalline quality on the long, savory finish. This wine is elegant yet penetrating with incredible tension and exquisite poise. Patience will be rewarded with extended cellaring. Our wines are made using traditional Burgundian techniques: whole cluster pressed, barrel fermented with native yeast, 11 months in French.”

FMW 100 Points: “This follow-up release will wow you from start to finish!  A stunning beauty with a bouquet of orange blossoms, 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!”

The Site — 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 on 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.

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