Mission Codename Can't stop the drooling
“I have had these wines year in and year out, and Saxon Brown turns out outstanding efforts. Moreover, their prices are not out of line, especially at this level of quality.” - Robert Parker
“Their prices are not out of line”. If only Mr. Parker knew what we were selling this 93+ rated gem for! Once upon a time, this was $58. Today, it’s yours for $25. Direct from the winery library. That’s a mammoth 57% savings on world-class Chardonnay!!
This is the one you bring to your Montrachet chugging, Kistler swirling, Marcassin popping friends. Throw it down at the next blind tasting, mop the floor, and then watch their incredulous scowls when you tell them what you paid. Fun times!
Not surprising when you consider the storied career of Jeff Gaffner. It began at Chateau St. Jean where he led the team responsible for a Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year. He’s also a highly regarded consultant for Ram’s Gate, Black Kite, and several other high-profile producers. Saxon Brown is his own baby though. And it shows. He focuses on vineyard-designate wines from some of the most coveted sites - Durell, Gap’s Crown, and Sangiacomo, where this beauty comes from.
Big, intense, voluptuous, toasty, and rich. This has it all - poached pears, toasted pineapple, a drizzle of caramel, and oh yes some of that BUTTERY goodness you love. Not excessive though. But wait - there’s more. Was that lemon pith? Grapefruit? Some vanilla custard too? It’s all there, bursting with the energy of a rollerblading dog walker with six Golden Retrievers at the end of a leash. This stuff is just peaking into a perfect drinking window with a good stretch ahead of it. We’re thinking of whipping up some lightly breaded sole with a beurre blanc sauce, cheesy zucchini rice, and fresh summer veggies tonight.
We got a few cases for our stash, and now it’s time to hit Osprey Seafood Market. Gotta run - have a great Sunday!
93+ Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“Barrel-fermented and aged in French oak for 11 months, the 2014 Chardonnay Sangiacomo Vineyard Green Acres Hill opens out to beautiful lemon curd, pink grapefruit and marzipan notes with hints of honey-drizzled croissant and ginger. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly crafted with a lively line of refreshing acidity cutting through the intense, creamy texture and citrus flavors, finishing with some minerals coming through. Only 178 cases were made. Drink 2017-2025.”
Tasting Profile
Tasting Profile
Look | Bright on the lighter side of the gold spectrum with platinum accents glimmering |
---|---|
Smell | Poached pears, toasted pineapple, a drizzle of caramel, and some of that BUTTERY goodness |
Taste | Big, intense, voluptuous, toasty, rich with lemon pith, grapefruit, vanilla custard this has it all |
Finish | Bursting with the energy, just peaking into a perfect drinking window with a good stretch ahead |
Pairing | Lightly breaded sole with a beurre blanc sauce, cheesy zucchini rice, and fresh summer veggies |
What the Winery Says
2014 Sangiacomo Green Acres Hill Chardonnay
- Winemaker
- Jeff Gaffner
- Varietal
- 100% Chardonnay
- Vintage
- 2014
- Appellation
- Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County
- Vineyards
- Sangiacomo Vineyards Green Acres Hill
- Alcohol
- 14.1%
- Harvest date
- September 16, 2014
- Brix at harvest
- 23.7°
- Total acidity
- 7.1 g/L
- pH
- 3.26
- Bottling date
- July 29, 2015
- Aging
- 11 months
- Barrels
- 50% new French oak
- Production
- 7 barrels