The history of this vineyard began when winemaker Mike Grigich from Chateau Montelena, purchased 40% of his Chardonnay grapes from the Bacigalupi vineyards in Russian River Valley. This Chardonnay attained world-wide acclaim in the 1976 Judgment of Paris Tasting when the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay eclipsed top French white Burgundies in a blind tasting by mostly French judges. Afterwards, the 2018 Bacigalupi Renouveau Chardonnay became the first vintage to be crafted exclusively from these vines referred as the Paris Tasting block.

The Paris Tasting Block vines are located on Goddard Ranch and grown at an elevation of 200 feet in sub-soils of red volcanic clay. This Chardonnay has a delicate yellow expression with a bouquet reminiscent of Grand Cru Champagne. It has a true burgundian character with lemon verbena, candied citrus fruits, honeysuckle and finely crushed stones. You may wonder if this is a look-a-like Chevalier-Montrachet. This elegant wine carries effortlessly across your palate to a lengthy finish. This Chardonnay is very young at this point in time and will definitely evolve with cellaring.

By W Peter Hoyne