There are a handful of producers who are consistently credited with crafting outstanding examples of what this varietal can offer. We are proud to be counted among them. Much maligned as over-planted, over-rated and overly manipulated, it has become quite fashionable to discredit the noble Chardonnay grape. Receiving 92 points from The Wine Spectator on the 1998, 92 points from Wine & Spirits on the 1999 and 90 points on the 2000 from The Wine Enthusiast, our Napa Chardonnay consistently does us proud. We like that the critics like it, but more importantly, we like it that you like it. Why, we’ve actually had big strong men with blue teeth buy our Chardonnay after trying it in the tasting room! (Although not in front of their friends, of course . . .) The 2001 is a delightful wine. Bright fresh aromas and flavors of green apple, lemon grass and butterscotch are carried forward by a very healthy natural acidity in this barrel-fermented Chardonnay. New Virginia oak barrels contribute a subtle flavor of toasted nuts to the flavor profile. (Surprised? Winemaker, Bob Foley, picked the Virginia barrels out of a blind tasting four years ago and we’ve been using them ever since.) The perfectly balanced finish lingers long enough to remind you that, red or white, this is one great bottle of wine.