Joseph Phelps Private Tasting

Joseph Phelps Private Tasting

Fellow Pour Boy (our wine group), Dan, is a long time wine club member and procurer of Joseph Phelps wines. He has an extensive vertical collection of Phelp’s wines including their flagship Insignia and ultra-premium Backus labels spanning more than a decade. 

Dan has sponsored and hosted visits to the magnificent Phelps estate vineyards and winery in Napa Valley for our wine group including this fabulous tasting as part of our Napa Valley Wine Experience back in 2017 - .Joseph Phelps Napa Valley Winery Tasting.

Dan has brought or served Phelps ultra-premium selections to many of our Pour Boys group wine tastings as well as serving them at his daughter’ Hillary’s wedding. 

So it was that when Joseph Phelps considered Chicagoland members of their club for private tastings, Dan was chosen to host such an event. 

Our Pour Boys wine group was represented by Dan, me, Lyle, and Bill who came in from Charleston, via Napa Valley, SFO and Lake Tahoe, for the occasion. 

We were joined by long time dear friend, Jared Gelband, Wine Director of Italian Village Chicago, where and with whom we often frequent for special tastings, wine dinners, work team and family dinners  - as featured often in these pages - 

Italian Village appoints Jared Gelband Wine Director

Team Dinner at Italian Village Chicago

Merry Christmas - Frozen and gala family wine dinner

Sassicaia Owner Dinner and Vivere Vertical Tasting

The guests included Dan’s and my Linda’s as part of the group of Linda’s in attendance.

Dan put out a broad selection to hors d’ovres, charcuteries including special sausages, cheeses and small bytes for the tasting. 

The Joe Phelps estates today consist of eleven different vineyards in the acclaimed AVAs across Napa Valley and the western Sonoma Coast. Today’s flight featured wines from the Sonoma Coast and premiere Napa Valley sites. 

Joseph Phelps wine ambassador Christine came to Chicago and curated a special tasting of Phelps wines at Dan’s residence in northwest Indiana. 

The Phelps wine flight consisted of their Ovation sparkling wine, Freestone Sonoma Coast Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and the Phelps line-up of premium and ultra-premium Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons. 

The wine flight:

Phelps Ovation Sparkling Wine 2018

Phelps Freestone Sonoma Coast Pastorale Vineyard Chardonnay 2024

Phelps West Sonoma Coast Quarter Moon Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023

Phelps Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 

Phelps Insignia Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Phelps Backus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 

The Ovation sparkling wine, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are sourced from Phelps estate vineyards on the western Sonoma Coastal area near the town of their namesake, Freestone. Freestone's wines are defined by two distinct estate vineyards: Pastorale and Quarter Moon. Each site, nestled on the fog-swept, rugged edge of the Sonoma Coast, possesses a unique terroir that imparts singular characteristics. The vineyards benefit from persistent coastal fog, sculpting winds, and soils shaped by ancient marine sediments, creating a micro-climate unlike any other.

These are limited release wines allocated for availability through the Phelps wine club. 

Phelps Ovation Brut Sparkling Wine 2018

In 2015, Phelps produced the winery’s first sparkling wine called Ovation, to honor the extraordinary life of Joe Phelps. It was comprised of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Pastorale Vineyards. 

Joseph Phelps notes -  “Ovation – Freestone Vineyards” sparkling wine is produced from estate fruit grown at the Freestone Ranch on the far Sonoma Coast, a region known for its cool climate and coastal fog. Joseph Phelps Vineyards began developing the Freestone property in the late 1990s, marking a major expansion from their original Napa Valley roots. “Ovation” reflects the winery’s commitment to crafting méthode traditionnelle sparkling wine with long lees aging and meticulous vineyard sourcing.”

Joseph Phelps Freestone Vineyards Ovation Brut is a méthode traditionnelle sparkling wine from the Sonoma Coast's Freestone Estate vineyards, primarily Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, known for its fine bubbles, bright acidity, and complex notes of citrus, stone fruit, brioche, and toasted nuts. It's crafted with long lees aging, resulting in a creamy texture and elegant structure that develops with bottle age, showcasing the cool-climate terroir. 

Ovation is typically a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (e.g., 80/20 or 78/22). 

“The winery’s third vintage of Ovation Sparkling Wine is overflowing with aromatic green apple, citrus zest, stone fruit and toasted brioche with hints of citrus blossom. A wine of focused textural refinement with creamy layers of white peach, white raspberry, vanilla sponge cake and a pleasing saline character.” 

The 2018 has firm acid structure and tension with additional flavor benefits following cellar aging.

The winery’s third vintage of Ovation Sparkling Wine is overflowing with aromatic green apple, citrus zest, stone fruit and toasted brioche with hints of citrus blossom. A wine of focused textural refinement with creamy layers of white peach, white raspberry, vanilla sponge cake and a pleasing saline character.

Straw colored, medium bodied, “The winery’s third vintage of Ovation Sparkling Wine is overflowing with aromatic green apple, citrus zest, stone fruit and toasted brioche with hints of citrus blossom. A wine of focused textural refinement with creamy layers of white peach, white raspberry, vanilla sponge cake and a pleasing saline character.” 

Single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Pastorale and Quarter Moon Vineyards

Phelps Freestone Western Sonoma Coast Pastorale Vineyard Chardonnay 2024

Phelps acquired properties in western Sonoma County in Freestone in 1999 where they planted vineyards and built a winemaking facility. The area traditionally known for cattle, pasture and forest land, has ideal conditions for growing ultra-premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varietals. Just eight miles from the Pacific Ocean, the micro-climate is regularly shrouded in a marine layer of fog that lingers into the early afternoon on most summer days, surrendering to afternoon sunshine. The area’s Goldridge soils are ideal for growing quality grape varietals. 

Phelps planted the Pastorale Vineyard on what was a former dairy farm, to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines in 2000. A year later, they planted the Quarter Moon Vineyard down the road entirely to Pinot Noir in 2001. 

This Chardonnay is a blend assembled from four blocks within the Pastorale Vineyard in Freestone on the western Sonoma Coast. The Chardonnay blocks include clone 2A, Mt. Eden, Hyde Old Wente, Montrachet, Maro, and Old and New Calera. 

It is 100% Chardonnay from the Pastorale Vineyard in the Sonoma Coast AVA, from Clone selection includes Mt Eden, 2A, 76, Old Calera, New Calera, Maro Barrel Aging: The wine was aged for fifteen months in 58% new French Oak and 42% used French oak puncheons before bottling

Winemaker’s notes - “This Chardonnay from Pastorale Vineyard opens with bright, perfumed aromas of lemon citrus, white flowers, and a hint of lemon custard that suggests subtle richness.”

https://go.cellartracker.com/wine/5711801

Phelps West Sonoma Coast Quarter Moon Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023  

This 2023 release is 100% Pinot Noir from the Quarter Moon Vineyard in the West Sonoma Coast AVA comprised of  Clone Selections: 459, 777, 828, Calera, and Pommard, 115. It was barrel aged for thirteen months in 52% new French Oak and 48% one-to-three year-old French oak barrels before bottling.

Winemaker’s notes - “This 2023 Quarter Moon Vineyard Pinot Noir is considerably savory, showcasing the darker, more structured side of the appellation. Black cherry and blackberry provide depth and concentration, while cranberry and pomegranate bring vibrant acidity. Sage and dried Mediterranean herbs create a complex profile that balances fruit and herbal elements. Elevated acidity and firm tannins give the wine a structured backbone that calls for food pairing.” 

Insignia, Cabernet Sauvignon from Backus Vineyard

Syrah from Larry Hyde & Sons Vineyard

Single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Pastorale and Quarter Moon Vineyards

Phelps Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 

The Joseph Phelps 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon is dominated by fruit from Yountville and Suscol; only 21% of the blend is from growers, as there's a push toward estate fruit. As always, there's some American oak in the mix, but that proportion is evolving downward. 

The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is a blend: 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, 1% Merlot. 

The wine was aged for sixteen months in 48% new oak (50% French, 50% American) and 52% used French and American oak barrels before bottling 

This release was rated 94 points by James Suckling, 92 by Vinous, 91 by Jeb Dunnuck and 90 points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.

Winemaker’s notes - “Our Cabernet Sauvignon opens with an enticing bouquet of black and red fruits - juicy black cherry intertwined with fresh pomegranate and bright cassis. Notes of cedar spice and toasted coconut add intrigue and sophistication to the aromatic profile. On the palate, layers of raspberry compote and dried wild berries unfold across a full-bodied frame. The wine shows impressive density while maintaining elegance, supported by well integrated tannins that provide structure without overwhelming. This is a wine of both power and finesse.”

https://go.cellartracker.com/wine/4877025

Phelps Insignia Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

In 1974, the idea to blend the finest wine lots of the vintage into one bottling was revolutionary in America and in the Napa Valley. A true visionary, Joe Phelps was one of the first American winemakers to see the merit in blending, proving his conviction when he debuted “Insignia” in 1974. According to Robert Parker, “Insignia remains one of the world’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blends.”

Phelps created “‘Insignia”, to signify a wine of excellence and superior quality, the ‘distinguishing mark’ allowed the wine to freely adapt to the varying combination of varietals from vintage to vintage. Insignia would quickly become the seminal wine of Joseph Phelps’ legacy.”

Insignia is sourced from up to eight Napa Valley estate vineyards planted primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of Malbec, Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc planted on select sites.

The 2022 release is a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec, and 2% Cabernet Franc. 

It is 100% estate grown from Phelps vineyards:

28% Yountville Vineyars in the Oak Knoll District

27% Banca Dorada Vineyards in Rutherford

19% Las Rocas Vineyard in the Stag’s Leap District

11% Home Ranch Vineyard in ST. Helena

9% Suscol Vineyard in South Napa Valley, and 

6% Barboza Vineyard in the Stag’s Leap District

It was aged 24 Months in 100% New French Oak 

It was rated 96-98 Points by Jeb Dunnuck.

Winemaker notes - “The 2021 Insignia captivates the senses with vibrant aromas of black cherry, hibiscus, and wild blackberry, subtly accented by fresh earth and a hint of Tahitian vanilla. On the palate, these dark fruit characteristics are harmonized with warm tones of redwood bark and baking spices. Plush, soft tannins and bright acidity enhance the length, complementing the rich fruit and savory undertones. A compelling tension infuses the wine with focused energy, promising it will express beautifully for years to come.”

https://www.cellartracker.com/w?4617350

Phelps Backus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 

Joseph Phelps Backus Vineyard is a highly-coveted, single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, known for its power, structure, and aging potential, often compared to Bordeaux wines. It's made from grapes grown on a specific hillside, aged in 100% new French oak, and features intense flavors of dark fruit, spice, and earth, with a muscular, long finish. It is distinct from Phelps's multi-vineyard Insignia blend, as Backus is released in limited quantities and designed for long-term cellaring. Considered a wine that requires significant bottle age (often a decade or more) and can last for decades. 

This single vineyard designated label is 100% from the Phelps estate Backus Vineyard, a 21-acre site on the eastern slopes of Oakville, Napa Valley in the Oakville AVA.  

It is a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon 9% Malbec and 7% Petit Verdot. The wine was aged for twenty-four months in 100% new French oak barrels before bottling.

From Oakville’s Backus Vineyard, this Cabernet Sauvignon offers plush notes of blackberry, black cherry, and blueberry compote, accented by cedarwood, warm clove, and a savory hint of black olive. Iron-tinged minerality adds firmness and depth to the profile. Plush yet structured, the palate finishes with mocha, black tea, and refined tannins that promise graceful aging for years to come.

Backus is a Phelps Preferred exclusive Cabernet Sauvignon. You must be an active Member and login to your account to access this rare wine.

https://www.cellartracker.com/w?4877026

https://www.josephphelps.com/

WBTG at Suzette’s Creperie Wheaton

 WBTG at Suzette’s Creperie Wheaton 

For an impromptu casual lunch, we dined at Suzette’s Creperie, Wheaton (IL), one of our favorite dining spots in the western suburbs. 

We enjoyed two of our favorite preparations - I love their Sole preparation and Linda their Crab Cakes. 

We’ve written about Suzette’s and these entree choices numerous times in these pages - 

Fun lunch at Suzette’s Crêperie Wheaton

Signorello Hope's Cuvee BYOB at Suzette's Creperie Wheaton

Suzette's Creperie Wheaton

French Wine Dinner Al Fresco at Suzettes Creperie Wheaton

We both selected a white wine accompaniment from the WBTG selections list, Linda a French Chardonnay from the south of France, Languedoc-Roussillon region, and me a Graves Bordeaux. 

Domaine De Montrose Languedoc- Roussillon Côtes de Thongue Chardonnay 2024 

Domaine Montrose is a historic family run producer that dates back to 1701 when Joseph Alazard received his ‘Three Lizards’ coat of arms which continues to this day as part of the family crest in homage to him, it adorns all of bottles’ and labels to this day.

The estate has belonged to and been managed by the Coste family nine generations. Current proprietor, Bernard Coste is the 8th generation in charge of Domaine Montrose and his son Olivier joined him in 2009, continuing the heritage of 300 years producing wine.

Bernard and Olivier Coste both live on the estate which consists of just under 200 acres of vines, situated around the estate.  The vineyards around the winery are planted on a range of rather unusual terroirs with clay-limestone balanced soils. The estate is named after its location, on a volcano (mont) and after the pink-blossomed (rose) almond trees bordering the property. 

Domaine Montrose is located in the South of France, a few kilometers from the village of Pézenas and the Mediterranean Sea in the Côtes de Thongue  (IGP) wine appellation, in the Languedoc- Roussillon wine region, and the sub region of Herault.

The small Côtes de Thongue appellation is made up of about fifty producers. Interestingly, the producers of this wine appellation have declined the official AOC certification in order to ensure their freedom to produce wines of their liking. 

The appellation has a Mediterranean climate: cold and dry winter, hot and dry summer, humid spring and fall. Montrose vines are grown on soils that are typical for this appellation: Villafranchian terraces (small round pebbles), clay-limestone, and basalt.

Committed to protecting the biodiversity of its vineyards, they have planted 21 different species of Mediterranean trees and now have 1,053 trees on the property. These trees and their ecosystem help the healthy management of the vineyards.

Domaine Montrose and its surroundings have been inhabited for millennia, dating back to Roman occupation when it was likely a Roman villa. The historic “Valros Tower” next to the vineyard was a Carolingian necropolis and then a stronghold in the Middle Ages.

Wine has been made at Montrose since the 16th century. Aged underground tanks still exist beneath the wine cellar.. 

The primary wine produced by the family is Rosé. They also produce this 100% Chardonnay, a unique blend sourced from their three terroirs, Villa Franchian terrasses with small round pebbles, sandy clay, and volcanic soils naturally poor in nutrients, which are typical of the appellation, planted on the slope of a volcano. The assortment of terroirs gives their wines a unique personality.

Each terroir is vinified separately. Grapes are destemmed before a short skin contact or a direct pressing. Wines resulting from the different terroirs are blended after fermentation and then aged in stainless steel vats rather than oak barrels to preserve freshness, fruit and minerality, and achieve a distinctive balance and elegance they seek in their unique style.

Winemaker’s notes - yellow color with green hints. Nose of fresh fruit. Notes of citrus and white peach. Elegant wine combining roundness and freshness. 

This was pale golden straw colored, light medium bodied, with crisp, clean, expressive notes of peach, pear and citrus with lively acidity. 

RM 90 points.  

https://www.cellartracker.com/w?5381585

https://domaine-montrose.com/en/over-the-century/

http://suzettescreperie.com/index.html

Château Millet Henri’s Cuvee 2024  

Château Millet is one of the premiere domaines and brands of the Domaines de La Mette, a collection of chateaux comprised of 150 acres of vines in the Graves and 50 acres in the Bordeaux Supérieur appellations. 

The Château Millet estate is located 20 kms southeast along the Gironde River of the City of Bordeaux, just outside the village of Portets. The Château Millet chateau was re-built in the late 19th Century on the foundations of a Medieval castle. 

Today, the chateau and vineyards are managed by Thierry de La Mette and Jean-Batiste Solorzano, who manages the day-to-day operations of Domaines de La Mette. 

Chateau Millet’s 35 acres of vines are planted on the gravelly soil of a clay and limestone plateau overlooking the Garonne River, planted primarily in red Bordeaux varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Carménère that produce red wines that are elegant yet flavorful, the hallmark of Graves wines. 

The remaining 2 1/2 acres which face south on ideal limestone soil are planted to white grape varietals, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris and Semillon. The southern exposure ensures an excellent maturity for these delicate grapes, giving them the signature style and taste that has made Graves wines famous. 

This label, Chateau Millet Graves Blanc “Cuvée Henri”, is named in homage to Thierry’s late father, Henri de La Mette. 

The wine is a blend of fifty percent Sauvignon Blanc, forty percent Semillon and ten percent Sauvignon Gris; with the age of the vines between fifteen to thirty years. 

 The wine undergoes fermentation in Stainless Steel vats and then is aged in French Oak, of which a third is new, for six months. 

Winemaker/Distributors’s Tasting Notes - “  The pale-straw-yellow colored wine offered notes of white fruits, melon and vanilla. On the palate this light-to- medium bodied, well-balanced wine displayed tones of fruit and citrus in a supple texture that ended with medium-count finish of fruit and terroir. The suppleness, the fruit and floral aromas of this wine are all invitations to the pleasures of the connoisseur's palate. The nose has hints of sweet spices, with a touch of vanilla. Elegant and unctuous on the palate, supported by refreshing acidity. The finish reveals notes of white pepper and cloves.”

https://go.cellartracker.com/wine/5440006

Golf Wine Golf Wine Golf

Father’s Day Weekend Getaway -  Golf Wine Golf Wine Golf

For Father’s Day, my three son’s took me away for a golf weekend at Geneva National Golf Club in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. We stayed in the cottages on the course as part of their Stay-and-Play program and had three fabulous days of golf, great food and spectacular wines. 

Over the three days, we played each of the three Geneva National championship courses designed by three legendary players, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Lee Trevino. 

Friday night the boys prepared prime 30 day aged grilled beef and bison ribeye beefsteaks, mashed potatoes and broccolini, mushrooms and fabulous seared foie gras. 

Before dinner we had a medley of artisan cheeses, Brie, aged Goudas and Dragon’s Breath pepper cheese. 

From our home cellars we took several outstanding wines for our dinner. 

Hall Vineyards ‘Exzellenz’ Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

One of our absolute favorite labels from one of our favorite producers. We’ve written about both in these earlier blogposts - 

Pour Boys Holiday Wine Dinner 2023

Exzellenz and aged Robert Craig Mt Veeder for holiday celebration gathering

Château Léoville Poyferré St Julien Bordeaux 2008

Another one of our favorite labels from one of our favorite appellations in Bordeaux. This 100 points wine from a spectacular vintage. A Visit to Château Léoville Poyferré was a highlight of our trip to the Medoc region of Bordeaux. 

Schweizer Vineyard ‘Mira’ Napa Valley Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 

Another outstanding label we’ve enjoyed on previous occasions as featured in these pages -  

Oak Restaurant Charleston

Old and New big reds for family celebration party

Diamond Creek ‘Gravelly Meadow’ Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1985

Son’s birthyear vintage release of a classic iconic Napa producer that we’ve visited and a label we;ve collected, once again, as featured previously in these pages - 

Diamond Mountain Cabernet Duo

Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Duo

Hill Family Vineyards Napa Valley Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

A favorite producer and label of son Alec’s, collected as part of his club allocations, again, that we’ve enjoyed and featured in these pages -

Napa Valley Atlas Peak Cabernet duo

Gala Family Birthday Celebration features fun novelty namesake wine

https://www.cellartracker.com/w?4093954 

https://hillfamilyestate.com/product/2023-napa-valley-cabernet-sauvignon 

A birthyear vintage wine for son Ryan … 

Smith Woodhouse Late Bottled Vintage Port 1982 

Smith Woodhouse is a historic port wine producer based in the Douro Valley region of Portugal. Founded in 1784, the winery is known for its high-quality vintage ports, which are made from grapes grown on steep terraced vineyards overlooking the Douro River.

Their Late Bottled Vintage ports are from a single year. The wine ages 4-6 years in old oak casks (opposed to Vintage Ports that are aged 2-3 years). Late Bottled Vintage releases fill the gap between the rubies and the vintage ports since a Ruby Port should be drunk quite young and a great Vintage Port may need 15 to 20 years to open up and show their true character and potential. This led to the idea in the 1960s to age the wine 4 to 6 years in large casks before bottling it, thereby producing a wine with the style of a Vintage Port with its deep colour and concentration of fruit but with a more mature character caused by the longer ageing in wood.

This is a selection of some of the finest quality wine of a single year, bottled, like Vintage Port, without fining or filtration, but after four years rather than two years in the wood. The extra wood age softens the wine and leads to an accelerated ageing in bottle. The result is akin to fully mature Vintage Port in flavour and complexity. Smith Woodhouse is one of the very few Port shippers to continue making LBV in the traditional way and to market the wine only after it has been bottle aged. These Ports tend to deliver high QPR - Quality Price Ratios - exceptional value for money.

https://go.cellartracker.com/wine/152446

Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey Sauterne Bordeaux 2002

Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey is a Premier Grand Cru Classé from the Sauternes appellation of Bordeaux,  and is among the most prestigious names of the iconic sweet wine appellation located south of the Bordeaux region. Dating back to to the 17th century the historic château estate 100 acres on Sauternes’ highest terrace around the villages of Bommes, Preignac and Fargues. 

The vineyards terroir of silica-gravel and clayey-gravel over limestone, give the grapes concentration and finesse. 

The 2002 Sauternes is a blend crafted mainly from Sémillon with small amounts of Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle (roughly 90–95% Sémillon, remainder Sauvignon/Muscadelle). The grapes are sorted and collected by hand in several successive passes to carefully select the botrytised berries. Fermentation and élevage are aged in oak for 12–18 months. 

Winemakers notes - Expect honeyed apricot, marmalade, orange peel, toasted almond and marmite of exotic spice.

https://go.cellartracker.com/wine/26588

Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey 

Saturday night, we dined at one of the resort restaurants and drank from the winelist a premium white and popular red with our entrees. 

Quintessa ‘Illumination’ Napa/Sonoma Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2023

Our visit to the Quintessa estate winery and vineyards on Silverado Trail in Rutherford, Napa Valley was a highlight of our Napa Wine Experience back in 2003. 

This is a blend of 60% Napa and 40% Sonoma Valley fruit. 

Justin Iscosceles Paso Robles Red Blend 2019

This popular premium red blend from this producer is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 7% Merlot, ideal for pairing with food.  

So blessed and thankful to spend such quality time together, and to have such a legacy of family, career, golf, fine wine! 

https://www.destinationgn.com/stay-play

Return to Cellar Wine Bistro, Lafayette

Return to Cellar Wine Bistro, Lafayette

For the second time in as many weeks, we found ourselves in Lafayette (IN). Unfortunately, it was for another Celebration of Life of a recently departed dear friend of wife Linda, from her hometown. 

Following the gathering, we went back to the Cellar Wine Bistro in downtown Lafayette, which we enjoyed so much on our previous recent visit - featured in this blogpost - Kosta Browne Chardonnay at The Cellar Wine Bistro Lafayette.

Tonight, we had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Michelle, whose love of wine and hospitality was the impetus for opening the establishment. She personally manages the wine program. It was a pleasure meeting her and showing our support for the business, and learning more about her background, and wine country insights and experiences. 

 

We ordered the plate of olives, the bread plate of house-made Focaccia & whipped berry flavored butter …

And the Baked Brie with Tart black cherry, sage and crostini … 

And the Roasted Asparagus with whipped ricotta, jammy egg, parmesan, wtih lemon-dijon vinaigrette …

Invariably, when visiting a wine centered venue, I will customarily ask the server if they have any wines that are not on the winelist. Typically, there are, given the challenges and dynamics of keeping an extensive wine list up to date. So it was, tonight, that there were several recent acquisitions that had not been updated on the published list.

We selected a unique appellation varietal combination, never experienced before, a Tuscan Chardonnay, from a top reputable producer, whose wine we have enjoyed in the past. 

Isole e Olena Collezione Privata Chardonnay 2022

We discovered and enjoyed Isole e Olena wine at a spectacular wine and dinner outing at Bruna’s Ristorante in Chicago’s Little Italy as featured in this post - Wine & Dinner at Bruna’s in Chicago’s Little Italy.

https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2025/10/wine-dinner-at-brunas-in-chicagos.html 

Having enjoyed that label from this producer, I was eager to try another wine from their portfolio, especially a unique varietal and appellation offering such as this. 

This unique limited release Tuscan Chardonnay is from the historic Chianti Classico estate Isole e Olena. Founded in 1956 by Francesco De Marchi, Isole e Olena is located in the western part of the Chianti Classico denomination, near the village of Castellina in Chianti, in the commune of Barberina Val d’Elsa.

The De Marchi family were originally from the north of Piedmont, between Val D’Aosta and the Italian side of Switzerland, where they had very small vineyards which were abandoned after World War Two. 

The Isole e Olena estate was bought by Francesco De Marche, Paolo’s father in 1956. It consisted of two abandoned hamlets, Isole and Olena, and the surrounding vineyards. 

Francesco’s son, Paolo De Marchi, took over the estate in 1975. De Marchi was born in Turin and studied agricultural sciences, viticulture, and winemaking at the university there, and as soon as he graduated and finished his training, he moved to the estate in Tuscany, and was responsible for Isole e Olena until its eventual sale in 2022. 

When he arrived in Tuscany in the mid-1970s, the Chianti appellation required “a huge number” of white grapes in the blend. The appellation rules changed in 1984, greatly reducing the requirement for white grapes in the Chianti blend which dramatically improved the wines. From his second harvest, Pablo  tagged the best Sangiovese vines, through what was known as “massal selection” based upon how the grapes perform in the vineyard, and transitioned to making a 100% Sangiovese wine from these better-quality vines.

In 1980, De Marchi started bottling this wine under the name Cepparello, named for the little creek which runs dry most of the season through the estate, a Sangiovese from old vines, aged in barrique. At the time, pure Sangiovese wines could not legally be called Chianti Classico. This wine eventually became the flagship signature wine of Isole e Olena and one of the first Super Tuscan wines. 

After ten years of working with these tagging and tracking the wines, in 1987, he planted a vineyard grafted from the best vines to concentrate in one vineyard, vines of the same age with the same rootstocks.

In the end, the vine selections were registered by a nursery and ultimately many new vineyards in the Chianti Classico DOCG were planted with vine selections from Isole e Olena, becoming a standard bearer of quality for the area. 

When De Marchi was considering retirement, there were no direct family members to take over the estate. De Marchi’s son Luca was already running the original family estate Proprietà Sperino in Lessona.

In 2022, De Marchi sold the estate to the French luxury group EPI, whose portfolio includes Champagne houses Rare and Charles Heidsieck as well as Biondi Santi in Montalcino. 

De Marchi remained as CEO through the transition to new estate director Emanuele Reolon who was appointed to continue the vision of Paolo De Marchi’s legacy of quality and excellence in viticulture and winemaking in a faithful expression of the domaine’s terroir.

The Isole e Olena estate covers 138 acres of vineyards, sitting at 1,148 – 1,476 feet above sea level on soils of galestro and marly schist. 

This Tuscan Chardonnay release was rated 95 points by Jame Suckling and Robert Parker, 94 points by Wilfred Wong of Wine.com and 92 points by Wine Spectator.

My thoughts were the same as expressed by Wilfred Wong of Wine.com, who wrote, “ I admit it, I rarely think of Tuscany as a place to satisfy my Chardonnay cravings. The remarkable 2022 Isole e Olena Collezione Privata took me by surprise. At first sniff, I thought, "Hmm, pretty interesting!" As I continue to savor it, I realize how significant this experience was going to be.”

Winemaker Notes - “Light greenish gold in color, the Chardonnay is aromatic on the nose, with spicy, buttery perfumes. On the palate it balances ripe fruit, fresh bread crust from the oven, with a hint of spice from the oak aging and a long, slightly citrus finish.”

Pale golden, greenish straw colored, medium bodied, polished, balanced and somewhat elegant with subdued poached pear , peach and citrus notes on a layer of cinnamon spice, hints of stone fruits, vanilla, toasty oak and butterscotch, integrated acidity, a zesty acidic grip on the long persistent finish.

RM 93 points. 

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