B-21 Top Recommendation Read More
A top value offered at a fraction of the price of similarly rated Napa Chards, the enticing 92 pt. 2022 Raymond Chardonnay Reserve Selection offers aromatic ripe stone fruit hinting of citrus with refreshing acidity on a lingering finish, an easy to love Napa Chard reflecting the estate’s uncompromising dedication to quality for over 40 years and bargain priced for filling the cooler to enjoy often.
Boasting a rich legacy of over five generations under the Raymond family, Raymond Vineyard was purchased by visionary Jean-Charles Boisset in 2009, transitioning existing vineyards to organic and biodynamic viticulture and expanding to over 300 acres in Rutherford and St. Helena under the direction of 100 pt. consulting winemaker Phillipe Melka. Crafted by former Far Niente winemaker Stephanie Putnam, the 2022 Chardonnay Reserve Selection was sourced from cooler vineyards in southern Napa Valley including parcels in Carneros in a vintage described as “exemplary for white wines” by the Wine Independent’s Lisa Perrotti-Brown that produced Chardonnays of “impressive intensity and vibrancy.” Barrel fermented in 22% new French oak without malolactic fermentation, the elegant 92 pt. 2022 Raymond Chardonnay Reserve Selection was aged on the lees for 10 months before being bottled, yielding vibrant, creamy-textured fruit with nuances of vanilla and spice on a fresh, lifted finish, its bright and zesty acidity calling for another taste.
Described by the Wine Spectator as a winery that “seldom seems to get its due,” Raymond Vineyard’s under the radar status is a boon for lovers of Cali Chard seeking a terrific bargain, the rich and balanced 92 pt. 2022 Raymond Chardonnay Reserve Selection offering an unbeatable combination of quality and value at an easy to reach for price. |