2015 Carte Blanche Chardonnay UV Vineyard Sonoma Coast 750 ml

Unforgettable Sonoma Chardonnay, Grapes From a Late Legend

A Wine Access favorite, Carte Blanche is back with an unprecedented release: a ravishing Sonoma Chardonnay from the famed UV Vineyard, a wine of Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru-like opulence. Longtime fans know this winery’s fine pedigree: operated by the same family that owns First Growth Château Haut-Brion, and today led by 100-point vintner Helen Keplinger, former Food & Wine Winemaker of the Year.

But what really makes this wine special is the plot, named after beloved vineyard manager and local legend Ulises Valdez, who tragically passed away this fall. Planted to Wente and Robert Young clones and boasting rare Sebastopol clay soils, the vineyard has produced 17 impressive 95-98-point wines for heavyweights like Aubert in Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. In 2015, it delivered a stunning lemon-curd beauty for Carte Blanche, showing off classic Sonoma Coast brilliance. The only catch? Just 200 cases made. Snap up a few bottles before they’re gone.

Carte Blanche is owned by Nicholas Allen, a New Jersey native whose name is well known in the French wine business. His grandfather, Clarence Dillon, acquired Château Haut-Brion in the 1930s, and the Pessac property has been in the family ever since.

Inspired by his ancestor, Allen founded Carte Blanche in 2007, the name referencing the unlimited possibilities of California wine. He brought on Champagne-born winemaking genius and Peter Michael vintner Luc Morlet to craft the first vintages—a move that gave the fledgling winery instant credibility and acclaim. Soon Antonio Galloni was calling it “one of my favorite discoveries” while the wines pulled down a raft of 95+ scores from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. The reds developed an instant following at Wine Access, frequently selling out allocations.

Going from strength to strength, Allen brought on Helen Keplinger in 2014 who has since scored 98 and 100 point wines with Jeb Dunnuck. Those plaudits came on top of her Winemaker of the Year award from Food & Wine and a cover with Wine Spectator. She made her mark the year after arriving, with Dunnuck exclaiming: “Her 2014s are brilliant wines…and the 2015s are even better!” Galloni concurred, declaring, “The bottled 2015s are terrific.”

What really caught our attention in this vintage was the new addition to Carte Blanche’s portfolio: a Chardonnay from UV Vineyard, a favorite of top wineries like Aubert. This bottle has gained added poignancy as it honors the late Ulises Valdez who Wine Spectator called “one of Sonoma’s most renowned vineyard managers.” The site belonged to Valdez, planted to 75% Wente clone, adding richness and tension, and 25% Robert Young, contributing nuance and acidity. The “Sebastopol Clays,” a unique mix of sand and clay, help grapes achieve ripeness without sacrificing an iota of taut vibrancy. Wow! A Chardonnay that will sweep you off your feet, if you manage to snag one before they disappear.