Lot 604 | 2025 Los Carneros Chardonnay 750ml
***BOTTLING LATE MAY, SHIPPING SHORTLY AFTER*** Back in the early '80s, growers at the southern ends of Napa and Sonoma made a forward-thinking move: ignoring political boundaries, they defined an appellation around what actually shapes wine – climate, soils, and topography (last we checked, vines don’t care where a map says one county ends and another begins). The result was Los Carneros AVA, one of the first regions to span multiple counties, unified by the cool influence of San Pablo Bay. The decision was a prescient one – in the decades since, Carneros has been a cornerstone of California winemaking, helping cement the state’s cool-climate offerings among the world’s best. Today, the liquid gold of Carneros can be found in the cellars of Michelin-starred restaurants and discerning collectors all over the world, so it’s with great pleasure that we introduce our latest find at a price that’s extremely friendly to everyone with good taste, and not just high society. Lot 604 is a pristine, unoaked 100% Chardonnay sourced from a globally famous producer that selects grapes from prized vineyards on both the Sonoma and Napa sides of the appellation for this release. Their winemaker emphasizes freshness and precision, crafting a Chardonnay of sheer elegance – the orchard fruit and white florals on display are reminiscent of some of Burgundy’s signature bottlings. This wine didn’t so much as sniff a barrel, fermenting and aging entirely in stainless steel (with minimal inputs to boot), but because of the vineyard and winery pedigree, still commands about $50/bottle under its original label. However, the current state of the market continues to see many a big name experiencing drops in demand for allocation-only programs, and our customers continue to be the insider beneficiaries as we quietly acquire them through the side door. Today, this gorgeous showcase of the region’s finest is now available to our readers for: $19/bottle! Los Carneros is something of an anomaly. Though it sits well inland from the open Pacific, it remains one of the coolest appellations in California thanks to its proximity to San Pablo Bay, pulling in fog and winds as a natural air conditioner throughout the growing season. Soils play an equally important role – dense clay in the lowlands naturally restrict vine vigor and yields, and gravelly soils in the rolling hills force roots deep in search of water. In both cases, the result is smaller vines and more concentrated fruit, which our source hand-picked at night to preserve freshness before carefully hand-sorting and destemming. Fermentation and élevage occurred with indigenous yeasts in small temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, allowing the terroir to shine with clarity and precision. Pure aromas of sliced apples and pears envelop the senses, layered by accents of wet river stone, fresh butter, and citrus. The palate delivers remarkable balance and poise – medium-plus acidity finds harmony with a lithe, nearly weightless texture, while pronounced minerality anchors savory notes of herbs and mushroom alongside bright citrus. The finish is clean and sublimely refreshing, echoing with hints of white florals and pear on the exit. A beautiful wine with a true sense of place. 13.5% alc