Clos Pegase Mitsuko's Vineyard Chardonnay 1994

Dark an brooding in the glass, our 2019 Hommage Cabernet Sauvignon is bursting with ripe plums, black cherries and notes of cassis. On the palate the black fruits linger and mix with a hint of crushed cassia bark and toasted oak and are surrounded by strong, balanced tannins and notes of espresso and dark chocolate. This wine is bold and sensuous with a silky texture and lengthy finish.

Our Tenma Vineyard is located in the foothills of Mount St. Helena northeast of the town of Calistoga. These 40 acres of rugged land are part of an alluvial fan spilling out from the Palisades Mountains in the northeast corner of the Napa Valley. The rocky terrain here is well-drained with a very sparse topsoil which is a perfect combination for growing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon when combined with the climate of Napa Valley. The low grape yields of these old vines result in highly concentrated wines with an elegance and complexity rarely seen, even within the famous Napa Valley. These grapes have proven to be a worthy backbone for our flagship Hommage Cabernet Sauvignon and are the reason that wine has become the pinnacle of Clos Pegase.

To craft a Flagship wine, highlighting our top Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards blocks and world class winemaking to craft a wine of balance, complexity and character.

Review:

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Hommage is deep purple-black colored and reveals notes of crème de cassis, stewed plums and fruitcake with touches of licorice, Chinese five spice and hoisin with a waft of cedar chest. Full-bodied, opulent and boldly fruited with loads of berry preserves layers, it has a chewy backbone and earthy accents on the finish.

-Wine Advocate 92 Points

Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard Summum Chardonnay is made from 100 percent Chardonnay. 

The Estate Chardonnay comes from a unique block of young vines at the southern edge of Seven Springs. With vines running right up to a rich forest of Douglas fir, these Burgundian clones of Chardonnay face northwest with a view across the entire vineyard. The Seven Springs Chardonnay underwent a very gentle whole cluster press before being racked to French oak barrels for fermentation. The wine remained in barrel, roughly 30% of which was new, for 12 months before being racked to tank. The wine completed élevage in tank for another 6 months before bottling.

Review:

Brilliant straw-yellow. Fresh and energetic on the incisive nose, displaying fresh pear, nectarine and Meyer lemon scents accompanied by suave floral, saffron and chalky mineral flourishes. Silky and open-knit, offering densely packed yet shockingly lively citrus and orchard fruit, honeysuckle, oyster shell and saffron flavors that show superb tension and back-end lift. Finely delineated and lithe in character, finishing extremely long and seamless, with vibrant mineral cut and lingering floral and orchard fruit notes.

-Vinous 95 Points

Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard Summum Chardonnay is made from 100 percent Chardonnay. 

Summum Chardonnay is the unofficial tête de cuvée of our lineup at Evening Land Vineyards. Fruit for Summum comes from just 14 vine rows that form the backbone of the Seven Springs Estate. Here, soils were formed by ancient volcanic eruptions that sent blazing lava down the current vineyard’s slopes – and today, we’re lucky enough to farm our vines in these mineral-laden soils. The 2019 Summum Chardonnay is medium-bodied and bright, marked by flavors of lemon skin, baked apple, and a touch of sweet spice that leads to a satiny, harmonious finish. For a unique taste of Oregon’s rather untapped potential for high-end Chardonnay, this bottle is it.

Review:

Shows dimension and presence, with elegantly multilayered flavors of Meyer lemon, apple skin, yeasty lees and crushed stone that gather richness and steely opulence on the lingering finish. Drink now

-Wine Spectator 95 Points

Chappellet Grower Collection Calesa Vineyard Chardonnay is made from 100 percent Chardonnay. 

The Calesa Vineyard Chardonnay draws you in with alluring aromas of tropical flowers, summer melon, nectarine, lemon zest and guava, as well as French oak-inspired hints of melted butter and baking spices. On the palate, finely tuned acidity and a creamy, mouth-filling texture add depth and nuance to lush layers of stone fruit, lemon custard, pineapple and passionfruit, all of which culminate in a lingering fruit and spice finish.

Review:

The 2020 Chardonnay Grower Collection Calesa Vineyard is floral, with delicate tropical fruit of melon, orange blossom, and sweet baking spice. The palate is medium-bodied, with a silky texture and notes of toasted vanilla bean, ripe pear, and almond. A well-made wine, it cleans up with lingering floral perfume. Drink 2022-2030.

-Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points

Daou Vineyards 'Bodyguard' Chardonnay is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.

Conceived by brothers Georges and Daniel Daou, Bodyguard Chardonnay is a wine of uncommon opulence. The 2020 vintage offers fragrant aromas of golden apple, buttered toast, honey and lilac. Subtle notes of Bartlett pear, star fruit, hibiscus and nutmeg round out the elegant, floral bouquet. The texture is smooth and silky, cascading across the palate with enticing flavors of spiced pear, Granny Smith apple, golden kiwi and honeysuckle, all underlain by mouthwatering minerality. Secondary layers reveal nuances of white peach and toasty oak, hazelnut, honeydew melon and citrus zest. A crisp, clean finish shows remarkable length with lingering notes of lemon curd and pineapple.

Review:

Lime leaf, crumbled herb and chiseled stone aromas hit the nose in this bottling, a new project for the Daou brothers. The palate is bright in a citrus tonic flavor, with a Key lime pie element that arises as well

-Wine Enthusiast 90 Point

Dutton-Goldfield Rued Vineyard Chardonnay is made from 100 percent Chardonnay. 

The nose leads with tangerine, apricot, and kiwi fruit, accented by lemon oil, orange blossom, and hazelnut. In the mouth, the fruit/floral and bright/rich theme continues, with the lychee and Meyer lemon top notes joined by Asian pear and Gravenstein apple, framed with honeysuckle and gardenia.

The dual nature of the wine makes it pair well with both rich and light fare, like lobster roll, roasted pork, or sautéed sole.

Review:

From a clone once called the Chardonnay Musque selection, this wine is highly aromatic and fresh. Juicy tropical fruit and tangerine flavors remain crisp and brilliant, leading to a complex midpalate of Meyer lemon and pear. The finish is topped by lasting, lingering layers of hazelnut.

- Wine Enthusiast 94 Points