Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Chappellet — Grower Collection “Five Blocks” Calesa Vineyard Chardonnay 2020
Petaluma Gap AVA, Sonoma County, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview:
A very limited-production Chardonnay sourced from the Calesa Vineyard in the Petaluma Gap AVA. Built from cool-climate tension and precision, this 2020 vintage elevates the profile of the wine with greater depth, layered complexity, and remarkable balance while preserving the vibrant tropical-citrus core characteristic of the site.

Aromas & Flavors:
Intense yet refined aromas of lemon curd, tropical citrus, baked guava, white peach, and subtle lychee, intertwined with delicate white spices and hints of mandarin zest. The palate unfolds in layers with vibrant citrus energy, savory mineral nuances, and beautifully integrated oak.

Mouthfeel:
Exceptionally balanced and textured. Fresh acidity drives the wine from start to finish, while a striking tension on the back palate gives the wine precision and lift. Creamy without heaviness, polished without excess, finishing long, energetic, and remarkably composed.

Food Pairings:
Butter-poached lobster, scallops, roast chicken with herbs, creamy seafood pasta, miso-glazed cod, or aged Comté.

Verdict:
A serious and highly expressive Chardonnay that showcases how powerful and refined California Chardonnay can become in the right cool-climate hands. The 2020 clearly steps above the 2022 in complexity, texture, and overall precision while still maintaining the vibrant tropical freshness that defines the vineyard.

🍷 Did You Know?
The Petaluma Gap’s cold Pacific winds naturally slow ripening and thicken grape skins, helping Chardonnays develop both concentrated flavor intensity and the kind of acidity-driven tension more commonly associated with top cool-climate regions. Cheers! — 12 days ago

Mark S.

8.9

Oak, vanilla, pepper. Black currant. Chocolate nuance. Leather. Concentration. Dry. Not much spicy. 8 years vantage. Wolf Blass Grey Label McLaren Vale Shiraz 17 @, TPEC, 250614 — a year ago

Lyn Farmer

9.0

Dry and very classic tasting Riesling. Wet stone, lime, honeysuckle, green apple, green pear, flint, and the faintest hint of petrol. Clean with high acidity, medium alcohol, light body and a terrific compliment to food. I had it with tuna tartare and it was a knockout. Terrific value. — 3 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

10

Outrageous. The Lafite of Germany. So classy. Aristocratic. Will need a decade but still utterly perfect in every way. A diamond cut from sun. — 3 months ago

Kristen Grimes

10

Thinking pink as summer temps continue into October...
Strawberries and minerals on the nose and palate, more mild acidity compared to prior years. I'm loving this vintage!! — 7 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.7

Cena con carlos gaytan y David wolf de petrus con los winegeeks jrz elp — 2 years ago

Steve Anderson

9.2

Savory and a bit of funk. Might have guessed Rocks District on p&p if blind. — 3 months ago

Jessica Dean

9.8

Minerally and tart! Love! — 4 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.0

2023 vintage. 08.22.25. — 9 months ago

Boris Mathiszik

9.1

Crisp and bone dry German Riesling perfect for hot days. This trocken from the Pfalz is a great example of those German wines. Delicious, but not for everyone. — 2 years ago