Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California

Vintage: 2014

Composition: 100% Chardonnay

History: Shibumi Knoll Vineyards is a small ridge north of Saint Helena in the heart of Napa Valley. This two-acre parcel includes a .75-acre rocky Cabernet vineyard planted in 1996. This beautiful estate wine showcases the grace of Napa Valley Cabernet with hints of a great red Bordeaux. The first vintage was in 2003. The Shibumi Knoll Buena Tierra Chardonnay has proven to be among the best in the country. The 2005 vintage received 97 pts from Wine Spectator, tied for the highest score given to a California Chardonnay in a decade.

 Tasting notes:

It is soft, warm, and delicious on the nose, as notes of ripe apricot and peach fill my senses. I take the first sip, and my mouth is soft and sensual. I tried a balanced lemon tart with a fresh, clean, drinkable flavor that is neither rich nor thin. The complexity offers the perfect balance of lushness and lightness.