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! — 2 months ago

Sam

9.0

This is a perfect lightly sweet wine with out being dry. It pairs well with salted dark chocolate. — 6 years ago

Ricky Egeland

10

Sweet, but not overbearing. Fizzy and tasty. — 6 years ago

Kat Robinson

9.7

Sweet, crisp, fruity, clean — 7 years ago

John Browning

9.7

Very smooth with full body — 7 years ago

Kaitlyn Jungblut

9.0

More sweet reisling — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Lime and citrus notes with saline notes. Inspired by a recent note @Ira Schwartz about a delicious Chablis he had. Oak has been thoroughly absorbed. I haven’t had many Chablis from Les Clos but lived up to its exalted status. See previous Delectable note. Great with fresh Pacific Oysters. — a year ago

Anna Sangiacomo

9.4

Two Miles from the Pacific Ocean with an elevation of 1500 feet. This is one of the most elegant wines of the three different sites.  Rose petals, crushed raspberry, wild strawberry.  — 4 years ago

Andrew Jezewski

9.7

Refreshing fruit wine — 6 years ago

Naoki Otani

9.0

12.26.2019 — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

My last bottle! From a hillside vineyard on an eastern slope on the second ridge from the Pacific Ocean. Deep Ruby with subtle aromas of red fruits and peppery spices, aging softened the aromas a bit. The palate shows raspberry and cherry with flavorful spices. Vivid acidity with super soft tannins with an earthy feel. Lingering finish with ripe oaky notes, minerality and earthy tones. Aged well, drink now! Very nice! — 7 years ago

Phyllis Holt

9.0

A favorite, very smooth and light. — 7 years ago

Kelsey McClure

9.3

Rich Tobacco, leather, black cherry and fig. FANTASTIC. — 8 years ago

Adrianna Goodin

9.5

Sweet but not heartburn sweet — a year ago

Mitali P

9.3

Excellent Pinot! Creamy but dry, dark fruit. Lovely finish — 2 years ago

Lori Mayberry

9.5

9%, $4.99
ALDI — 5 years ago

diana rosalino

10

Beautiful color. Rose gold. And very easy to drink. Perfect Rosè for me! — 6 years ago

Alyssa Sheets Wolf

9.0

One of my new favorite whites. Paired excellently with tuna noodle casserole (to celebrate my fiancé and I’s new kitten) 🐱. — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Last bottle, had a bottle about a year ago, aged nicely. Their vineyard is a few miles away from the Pacific Ocean and aged, in French Oak, about 1/3 new, deep ruby with black fruit aromas and earthy floral spice notes. On the palate, soft raspberry, black cherry and blueberry flavors, rich and complex with integrated spice and oak. Smooth tannins with good balance of juicy acidity still has room to age. Lingering mineral finish, an outstanding wine. A real pleasure, wish I had more! — 7 years ago

MaryBeth Zins

9.0

Bold and spicy — 8 years ago