Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The limited production Chardonnay Point Rouge represents a selection of the finest barrels. In most years, this is essentially the best barrels of Cuvee Indigene, picked for their extra intensity and complex style. This is routinely one of the three or four finest Chardonnays being produced in California, as well as one of the greatest of the world, as tastings against Burgundy's finest Batard-Montrachets, Chevalier-Montrachets, and Le Montrachets have consistently proven, much to the chagrin of Burgundians.
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Wine Spectator
A bold, ripe, rich and deliciously complex wine, with layers of pear, fig, anise, butter and nectarine. Sharply focused, long and lively, with a finish that sails on with flavors.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
A small and picturesque valley separating Napa Valley on its south border and Alexander Valley to its north, Knights Valley excels in similar varieties as the two aforementioned appellations, namely red Bordeaux varieties and blends, as well as Sauvignon blanc. Originally established by Beringer Vineyards, today several outstanding producers claim acreage here. The circadian cooling effects of the nearby Pacific Ocean create a nighttime respite for vineyards during the hot growing season.