One of my absolute favorite Chardonnays of the moment. And, how fun that it's literally one mile from my house to this vineyard! Linda Vista Vineyard sits just northwest of the city of Napa in the Oak Knoll District. This area has long been famed for Chardonnay. It really hit the big time when Chateau Montelena's Chardonnay took the win against top white Burgundy in the Judgement of Paris Tasting in 1976. That legendary Chardonnay was grown right next door to Matthiasson's Linda Vista site. This very southern part of the valley is significantly cooler than further north, with almost daily fog that beaks up late morning. The soils here are alluvial fans from the eastern slopes of Mount Veeder comprised of ancient marine shale. The vines here are three decades old and deeply rooted drawing complex minerality from the soils. The Chardonnay is crafted in a perfectly honed crystalline style with beautiful freshness and vibrancy. The purity of bright fruit and white flowers works nicely with mouthwatering saline minerals. Such beautiful focus and linear precision. This gives 1er Cru white Burgundy a good run for it's money. An absolute winner at our Insider's Advantage special pricing!

We had the good pleasure of tasting the latest releases from Matthiasson at our recent staff gathering and I'm still thinking about this wine. It's certainly one of the best California Chardonnays I've come across in some time. Slightly creamy in texture yet fresh and vibrant with great acidity and and length. It's not the least bit oaky and normally sells for $40. Outstanding.

The 2023 Matthiasson “Linda Vista Vineyard” Chardonnay comes from a single Napa Valley site planted on alluvial soils in 1989. Barrel-fermented with native yeast and aged in no new oak, it showcases bright apple, honey, chamomile, and Meyer lemon zest, lifted by a crushed seashell-like minerality. A delicate lemon–chamomile finish lingers, while the low 12.5% ABV makes it an effortless any-time-of-day sipper. Certified organic (CCOF) and vegan, it’s pure in both flavor and winemaking ethos.