Arcudi Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2020

Back in 2015 we debuted in our Kahuna Club , Tony Arcudi's very first vintage under his own label with the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon bottling coming from the Black Sears Vineyard on Howell Mountain. Members LOVED it. And we were not surprised. With resolute passion and determination, and an outlandishly impressive pedigree of wines that he has helped craft, he is THE winemaker to start collecting if you haven't already. In 2001, propelled by the memory of a life-changing glass of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and discovering that certain wines embodied "an experience", Tony, a Boston native, packed his bags at the age of thirty-eight and moved across country to the Napa Valley. His unwavering inspiration led him to apply to college for the first time in his life. He then attended and graduated from the prestigious UC Davis, the topmost academy for wine studies in the United States. After graduating, Tony worked an internship at the revered Maison M. Chapoutier in France and then worked as the Assistant Winemaker for Nickel & Nickel back in Napa. In 2009, he met Napa superstar Winemaker, Heidi Barrett, whose winemaking resume includes Screaming Eagle, Dalla Valle, Grace Family, Amuse Bouche, Fantesca, Diamond Creek Vineyards, and Kenzo Estate, to name just a few). Tony became Heidi's Assistant Winemaker and right-hand man that same year. Working alongside Heidi gave him an unimaginable amount of experience and boosted his confidence to begin a project in 2012 under his own label of Arcudi. Since then, in addition to becoming the Winemaker for Kapcsandy Family Winery and earning three 100-Point Scores there (two in his first vintage), his small production, single-vineyard Cabernets under the Arcudi label have continued to garner glowing reviews from critics and loyal followers. 

Today, we are extremely honored and just as excited to offer his latest release, a Chardonnay coming from a legendary vineyard in the Russian River Valley. And like the Terramagra, a bottling that over-delivers in every single way! The Chardonnay is 100% Rued Clone sourced from the old vines of the Purrington Vineyard (formerly Rued Family Vineyard) located in the cool, Green Valley of Russian River. Each vine is over fifty years old and twisted like a unique sculpture. Dry farmed, they receive only what the winter rains provide, with deep roots penetrating the depths of the "Goldridge" sandy, loam soils. The wine was aged sur lie (on its lees) for ten months in 20% new French oak with an occasional stirring to add depth and midpalate to the wine. Vibrant notes of crushed citrus, lemon curd, spice, and white flowers emerge along with a touch of flinty minerality. Medium to full-bodied, it's rich yet, at the same time, fresh and light on its feet. A "Goldilocks" of a wine, this perfectly embodies the elegance of cool, "old world" Burgundy with the opulence of California sunshine. Only 8 barrels produced.