2018 Vivo Carneros Chardonnay (Elsewhere $75)

This is an absolute hidden gem! I had never heard of these wines until very recently when they were presented to me. Talk about pedigree! This wine (though not listed on the bottle for contractual reasons) is entirely from the legendary Hyde Vineyard. The winemaker behind the project is none other than Stephane Vivier, who for many years was the head winemaker at Hyde De Villaine (HdV) a collaborative project between Napa pioneer Larry Hyde, and Aubert de Villaine of Domaine de la Romanée Conti (DRC). Stephane's depth of experience with Hyde fruit is clear to see here. This is a Chardonnay very much for white burgundy drinkers. The cool climate of Carneros and the moderate growing season of 2018 resulted in a focused, racy, mineral driven style with beautiful lees elements building texture and savory intensity. It's a crystalline wine showing golden apple, firm white peach, chopped pine nuts, salty marcona almond hints. A fascinating wine with flinty, saline minerals in spades. It's fresh with wonderfully vibrant acids and I think will continue to age beautifully. Built for the long haul if you can keep your hands off it now. Fans of Meursault, Puligny, Chablis...check this out. We have a very finite amount of this wine, so act fast if this is for you! A deep Insider's Advantage discount and huge score from the Wine Advocate are sure to make this a winner.

Heavy aroma of ripe yellow apples, bruised apricot, carambola, meyer lemon, orange blossom, and chamomile tea. On the palate, beautiful salinity, sliced almonds, pickled ginger, and bruised yellow pear. The delicious slightly oxidative flavors, and complexity this wine has developed, makes it one of the most enchanting, unique bottle Chardonnay I've had recently.