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- Get credited back if a wine fails to impress
Dead Ringer for More Expensive Chardonnay
Gibbs Vineyards Chardonnay is the kind of rich, delicious Chard that was once common around Napa Valley—but is now almost impossible to find under $50.
If they were better known, we’re sure pricing would skyrocket in a hurry, but for now Gibbs is one of the last, greatest insider-secrets in Napa—except among our members. They’ve blown through our last two allocations and made the last vintage our sixth-highest rated Napa Chardonnay…of all time, at any price.
This wine is such a dead ringer for a much more expensive Chardonnay because it shares a primary fruit source with some of those big names. “60% of this wine is from a Yountville vineyard we can't really talk about,” owner-winemaker Craig Handly told us as he took a sip. “We got a great deal on the fruit and they sell to some higher end labels.”
A farmer and psychologist, Dr. Lewis Gibbs Carpenter, Jr., acquired his property in St. Helena back when Napa was better known for growing nuts than grapes. In the 1970s, he gradually started replanting orchard land to Bordeaux varieties. His son-in-law, Craig, began helping make wine there in 2000. When Gibbs passed away, in 2013, Craig and his son Spencer started the brand as a tribute to him.
Their Chardonnay is as classic Napa as it gets—full and rich, with plenty of yellow orchard fruit complemented by hints of roasted almonds, a touch of caramel, and a dusting of baking spice. That’s a product of the fully ripe grapes that Gibbs brings in, as well as the eight months in 20% new French oak that add polish to the wine.