“Consider getting on the mailing list before it is too late.” – Wine Advocate

OOHHHH. Are you sitting down? I mean, are you ACTUALLY prepared for this awesomeness? Well, we weren’t for sure. We KNEW L’Envolée Cabernet Sauvignons were good. We’ve tasted a few before and all have been epic (trust us, we’re trying to get some for you!)

But we had NO IDEA how epic the inaugural Chenin Blanc would be from this couple.

And it should not have been a surprise to us, knowing the pedigree and background of these folks.

Caitlin and Quentin Lhommeau started L’Envolée with the intention of making great wine. And that they do! Both have full-time jobs with Julien Fayard Consulting, Bevan Consulting, and Atelier Melka, so, they are playing with Napa’s crème de la crème on a daily basis.

Imagine being Russell Bevan’s right hand at Tench Vineyards and having him take you to dinner. When he tells you to start your own wine brand, you would say, “Yes, Sir!” also! And we are glad Caitlin did! With a husband from the Loire Valley who works for the Fayard team, they took the leap in 2018.

Their style is beautifully influenced by the purity of top Chenin Blancs of the Loire Valley (think François Chidaine or Domaine Huet, mmm) along with their master teachers, Russell Bevan, Philippe Melka, Julien Fayard, and the aptly named label of L’Envolée, “to take flight” in French, mirrors Caitlin and Quentin’s rise in the Napa winemaking scene.

Wine Advocate was one of the first to discover them: “L’Envolée is the label of Caitlin and Quentin Lhommeau, a husband-and-wife winemaking team. She works at Tench alongside Russell Bevan and Mike Smith; his day job is with Julien Fayard. Caitlin and Quentin met while working harvest in New Zealand but have been working in Napa for the past five years. This is an exciting new project for the duo, starting their own brand. Caitlin was present at Tench Winery when I met Mike Smith there and presented the wines then. Given the tiny quantities produced and the realistic pricing, readers should consider getting on the mailing list before it is too late.”

Or, simply keep watching Wine Spies very carefully, every day!

The wine? Simply gorgeous. Think pure crushed rocks, juicy stone fruit, and elegant white blossom on the nose, leading into a supple and round mouthfeel with nectarine, apricots, grilled pineapple, vibrant acidity, and brilliant minerality. Mostly in stainless, but the 20% barrels make a round expression of this varietal. It is a NOT TO BE MISSED white.

Oh, and did we mention Dunnuck gave the beauty 94 points?! We think he was aiming low.

And as you can imagine, with full-time jobs and crazy lives, they only make so much.

Be fast, dear Operatives!

94 Points – Jeb Dunnuck “The first vintage for this cuvée, the 2023 Chenin Blanc Napa Valley is smoking good and has remarkable purity in its stone fruits, dried herbs, and sappy, green flower-like nuances. These carry to a medium-bodied white that’s beautifully balanced, has a pure, layered, seamless mouthfeel, and a clean, crisp finish. Brought up in 80% stainless and 20% in barrels, it’s a brilliant Chenin Blanc that’s up with the finest expression of the variety in California.”