Aubert refers to this wine as the “chameleon,” as it evolves and morphs in each glass. The combination of climate, soil, and rare clones planted at UV-SL produce kaleidoscopic, site-driven nuances.
JEB DUNNUCK 98 POINTS - "The 2024 Chardonnay UV-SL Vineyard comes from vineyards perched above Occidental and marks fifteen years in the estate's 25-year history. A blend of clonal material including Hyde Montrachet, it delivers remarkable depth and complexity without excess weight. Williams pear, green apple, orange blossom, savory earth, and crushed stone all emerge from this multidimensional effort. Despite its concentration, it remains weightless on the palate, showcasing tremendous clarity, salinity, and transparency. Produced in its largest quantity to date at roughly 2,000 cases, this is nevertheless one of the finest renditions of this wine to date. Drink 2026-2038."
WINE SPECTATOR 96 POINTS - "Vibrant and expressive, with wonderful intensity to the orange blossom, lemon balm, lemon thyme and lime zest elements that complement the core of citrus and CrimsonCrisp apple. Notes of gray sea salt and chalky minerality give this a wonderful texture and structure on top of amplifying the flavors. A tarragon detail lingers. Drink now through 2042. 2,378 cases made."
ANTONIO GALLONI 95-97 POINTS - "The 2024 Chardonnay UV-SL Vineyard soars from the glass with captivating aromatics. Freshly cut flowers, slate, mint, chalk and dried herbs lend notable aromatic brightness. This tense, salivating Chardonnay is shaping up to be a jewel of wine. A bit of time in the glass brings out the wine's textural richness and overall presence. There's tremendous depth and intensity here."
JEB DUNNUCK 98 POINTS - "The 2024 Chardonnay UV-SL Vineyard comes from vineyards perched above Occidental and marks fifteen years in the estate's 25-year history. A blend of clonal material including Hyde Montrachet, it delivers remarkable depth and complexity without excess weight. Williams pear, green apple, orange blossom, savory earth, and crushed stone all emerge from this multidimensional effort. Despite its concentration, it remains weightless on the palate, showcasing tremendous clarity, salinity, and transparency. Produced in its largest quantity to date at roughly 2,000 cases, this is nevertheless one of the finest renditions of this wine to date. Drink 2026-2038."
WINE SPECTATOR 96 POINTS - "Vibrant and expressive, with wonderful intensity to the orange blossom, lemon balm, lemon thyme and lime zest elements that complement the core of citrus and CrimsonCrisp apple. Notes of gray sea salt and chalky minerality give this a wonderful texture and structure on top of amplifying the flavors. A tarragon detail lingers. Drink now through 2042. 2,378 cases made."
ANTONIO GALLONI 95-97 POINTS - "The 2024 Chardonnay UV-SL Vineyard soars from the glass with captivating aromatics. Freshly cut flowers, slate, mint, chalk and dried herbs lend notable aromatic brightness. This tense, salivating Chardonnay is shaping up to be a jewel of wine. A bit of time in the glass brings out the wine's textural richness and overall presence. There's tremendous depth and intensity here."