ABOUT: A California pioneer, Joe Phelps produced his first Cabernet Sauvignon in 1973 from his newly acquired 600 acre ranch in Spring Valley. The winery was completed the following year and the first vintages of Insignia and Syrah were produced; the rest is history. Today the Phelps family has vineyards in most of the wine growing regions in Napa Valley, as well as their home base in Freestone. They've been working biodynamics into their program since the 1980's, and their website has one of the best introductions to biodynamics I've seen. TASTE: This Phelps Freestone Chardonnay has vivid flavors of peaches, pineapple, and pears balance perfectly with stony, salty minerality that you don't often find in California Chardonnay. This wine is up one level, with balance being the theme; more producers should follow suit. A medium to medium+ body, with a similar level of acidity, and understated oak notes. Vanilla lingers in the back alongside sweet flower aromas, but know their place. Complex with a long finish, this is developed top flightChardonnay.
PAIR: Tacos laced with avocados, onion rings, Gnocchi with brown butter and sage, summer squash ravioli, and Trofie a la Genovese.
