2019 Macauley Chardonnay ‘Bacigalupi’ Russian River Valley

WSI94+ This wine exudes all the extraordinary personalities of a Burgundy white in an unmistakably continental fashion. It breathes subtle perfumes of candle wax, powdered sugar, white flowers, along with a hint of honey and citrus. But it really shows its old world character in its precious notes of matchbook, wet stone, and just a sliver of French oak from the one single new oak barrel procured from the Nadalié cooperage in France each year. The 2019 is a genuinely sophisticated wine showcasing savory and zest fruit qualities and probably the most age-worthy attempt we have ever produced. Even with full malolactic fermentation, and then aged 11 months in equal treatments of concrete, oak and stainless steel, you’ll pick up not a trace of the butter nor the vanilla that you would expect from a typical Sonoma Chardonnay. Finally, in keeping with its Old World roots, the acidity here is just electrifying, a stunningly bright expression for California, hailing from the historic Bacigalupi vineyards. 294 cases were produced.