Rombauer Vineyards
2021 Chardonnay
"Buchli Station"
Los Carneros AVA
Auction 26 | Lot No. 76
Vintage: 2021
Rombauer Vineyards
Chardonnay
Los Carneros
5 cases produced
Highlights
- Our Buchli Station estate vineyard in the Los Carneros nested appellation is the southernmost vineyard in Napa Valley
- Fruit was hand-picked and gently whole-cluster pressed
- Primary and malolactic fermentations in barrel and bi-weekly sur lie stirring for creamy texture
- Cool site contributes to hallmark minerality, briny character and high acidity of the wine
Description
Your Premiere Napa Valley lot was selected from the finest lots of Chardonnay from our Buchli Station Vineyard. This estate vineyard is the southernmost vineyard site in Napa Valley—a railroad track and salt plains are all that separate it from San Pablo Bay. This cool and breezy location yields Chardonnay prized for its natural acidity, minerality and briny character, and wine from Buchli Station is consistently one of the largest single components of our classic Rombauer Los Carneros Chardonnay.
For this lot, winemaker Richie Allen zeroed in on two blocks with the oldest vines, 25 and 35 years old respectively. These mature vines are the source of some of Buchli Station’s most compelling wines, and blending the two for this Chardonnay yielded aromas of ripe green apple, lemon rind and floral jasmine mingled with hints of spice.
The palate is linearly focused with notes of white nectarine, citrus and chamomile. Barrel fermentation in French oak barrels coupled with sur lie stirring created a creamy mid-palate and lush texture that is balanced by mouthwatering acidity.
Wine Facts
- Single vineyard wine
Richie Allen
Winemaker, Rombauer Vineyards
Richie has worked as a winemaker in his home country of Australia, as well as in New Zealand, and here in the United States at Rombauer. He embraces traditional and cutting-edge practices in the vineyard and cellar to make certain each wine gets the customized attention it needs.
"At Rombauer we start at the vineyard level and work at each site to grow the best grapes possible. The fruit in turn guides the style. To make the best possible wine you can’t force the vineyard to produce a wine it’s not capable of. Understanding each site and its potential has dictated the style. Ripe concentrated wines, with natural balance. The winemaking, while very precise, is somewhat simple. It all revolves around getting the most out of each block and letting the fruit shine. Winemaking is a process of not messing it up. We don’t manufacture quality into the grapes, we just preserve it."
Country born: Australia
Education: Bachelor of Science - Deakin University
Graduate Diploma in Oenology - Adelaide University
Years in the wine industry: 10-15 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
Combining traditional and modern practices in both the vineyards and winery to achieve the truest expression of each varietal possible.
Winebow
4301 Industrial Way
Benicia CA 94510
707-361-4493
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Winebow:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Markham Vineyards | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | Bryan's Block | 27 (2023) |
| Pine Ridge Vineyards | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Whorl's Focus | 26 (2022) |
| Rombauer Vineyards | 2021 | Chardonnay | Los Carneros | Buchli Station | 26 (2022) |
| Long Meadow Ranch Winery | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Bear Canyon Vineyard | 24 (2020) |
| Paul Hobbs | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | Nathan Coombs Estate, Block 2 | 24 (2020) |
| Robert Craig Winery | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 24 (2020) | |
| Silverado Vineyards | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Disney-Silverado Heritage Clone | 24 (2020) |
| O'Shaughnessy Estate Winery | 2017 | Red Wine | Howell Mountain | Best of the Red Blenders | 23 (2019) |
| TEXTBOOK | 2017 | Red Wine | Oakville | A Moveable Feast | 23 (2019) |
Winery Distribution
Rombauer Vineyards is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.
Domestic:
- California (DTC)
International:
- Bulgaria (Bibendum)
- Canada - Alberta (Lanigan and Edwards)
- Canada - British Columbia (The Wine Syndicate)
- Canada - Nova Scotia (Mainbrace)
- Canada - Quebec (Societe Clement)
- Caribbean (Service Innovations)
- Czech Republic (Californian Wines)
- Denmark (Fine Wines ApS)
- Germany (Movenpick)
- Greece (Cava Halari)
- Hong Kong (Jointek)
- Ireland (Solera Wine Merchants)
- Israel (PortoVino)
- Japan (Hotei Wines)
- Kazakhstan (Orange Trading Co.)
- Mexico (ECM)
- New Zealand (Wine Circle)
- Norway (Better Wines)
- Singapore (WineHours)
- South Korea (Wine2U)
- Switzerland (Movenpick)
- United Arab Emirates (MMI)
- United Kingdom (The Humble Grape)