From his only vineyard in Napa, the 2015 Chardonnay Sugar Shack is a hedonist’s delight. Fragrant, exotic notes of mango, orange marmalade, nectarine and pineapple soar from the glass of this full-bodied, beautifully fruited Chardonnay that shows not a trace of oak, has great acidity, and an almost vibrant energy-driven style that is remarkable. This is always one of my favorite cuvées to taste, and I have been a buyer every year that he’s been producing it. Again, this sees 100% new oak, but you would never know it.

The 2015 Chardonnay Sugar Shack Estate is pure honeyed apricots and beeswax with suggestions of bread, salted almonds, croissant and a touch of aniseed. It is full-bodied, rich, intense, lifted, fresh and really well structured with a solid backbone, finishing long and sleek with some minerals.