SOLD OUT! When I saw the review on the 2016 Novellum Chardonnay, I nearly lost it! 92 points from the Wine Advocate, compared to Sonoma’s famed and very hard-to-get Aubert Chardonnay, and less than $15. SOLD!
I’ve carried every vintage of this wine since the store opened, but the 2016 is really special. The talented Jean-Marc Lafage crafts this wine from 30 year old, organically cultivated vines — that’s old for Chardonnay! Run, don’t walk, to the store to get some of this. It’s the Chardonnay deal of the year, and you’re gonna’ love it.
2016 Novellum Chardonnay
92 points Wine Advocate
SOLD OUT
Trust me, this is no one-hit-wonder. The 2015 scored 90 points, the 2014 scored 89 points, and the 2013 scored 92 points — all with the Wine Advocate. Importer Eric Solomon works with Team Lafage to make this wine, and it’s made in a unique fashion. Those old vines yield intensely flavored grapes, and the wine is fermented in stainless steel. After fermentation is complete, it is aged in tank (70%) and older French oak barrels (30%) on the lees of Viognier. The resulting wine is beautiful — rich, yet clean, and full bodied, but snappy.
Here’s the review from Jeb Dunnuck of the Wine Advocate: “A sensational wine that will compete with wines five times the price, the 2016 Novellum Chardonnay is the real deal and actually reminded me of a Chardonnay from Mark Aubert in California’s Sonoma County. White peach, crushed rocks, spice and brioche notes all emerge from this medium to full-bodied Chardonnay that has depth, layered texture and length. Buy it.”
FYI, good luck getting your hands on a bottle of Aubert Chardonnay. That’s one of Robert Parker’s favorite Chardonnay producers, and the entry-level wine fetches $100+. Buy this instead! Cheers and happy drinking and eating in Asheville!
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville