Flanagan Bacigalupi Vineyard Chardonnay 2023

Just south of the winery, Bacigalupi Vineyard straddles Westside Road in the upper reach of Russian River Valley. The 125 acre vineyard encompasses a range of terroir, from heavier valley floor soil along the Russian River to alluvial clay loam on the rolling hillsides. The fruit is sourced from a superb block of 25 year-old Wente Clone vines located on the western slope of the site. Bacigalupi was the source of the Chateau Montelena Chardonnay that, famously, beat the French wines at the “Judgement of Paris” in 1976. Bacigalupi Chardonnay has a nose of lemon zest and vanilla bean. The palate opens with red pear and Meyer lemon, and brioche toast and honey comb notes on the finish. Like well-made Chardonnay from great vineyards around the world this wine benefits from getting some air, will age for years, and is best when served chilled around 50 degrees. This wine will evolve in the bottle for many years to come. A terrific wine from one of Sonoma County’s top sites for Chardonnay. This golden yellow colored Chardonnay from the Bacigalupi Vineyard is an oak lover’s dream! It opens with a ripe pineapple and oak bouquet with hints of butterscotch and pear. On the palate, this wine is full bodied with medium plus fresh acidity. The mouthfeel is balanced, round, and rich. The flavor profile is an oak influenced pineapple and spiced poached Bartlett pear blend with notes of stony minerality and butterscotch. I also detected hints of lemon verbena and Nilla wafers. The finish is dry, and its flavors and acidity linger and last for a very long time. This excellent Chard is perfectly fine to be enjoyed on its own. With food, we would pair it with a hot buttered lobster roll! 95pts