Pride Mountain Vineyards Chardonnay 2021
(Napa Valley, California) - [WE 95] [VM 90]

 About the Winery:
Nestled in the Mayacamas Mountains between St. Helena and Santa Rosa, the picturesque 235 acre estate of Pride Mountain it Vineyards sprawls across Spring Mountain at roughly 2,100 feet, six miles up a winding, narrow road above St. Helena. 

Pride Mountain Vineyards sits high atop Napa Valley’s Spring Mountain, at the site of the historic Summit Ranch, where wine grapes have been grown since 1885. 

Their first wine was produced in 1991. The winery produces unique wines in contrast to those made in the neighboring valleys. The vineyards are set above the fog line, which enables the grapes to be exposed to California's hot sun from dawn to dusk. 

With primarily south-facing exposures, the mountain has become a bit too warm to grow Chardonnay outside of one shaded parcel by the ruins. Steve Pride and winemaker, Sally Johnson, have developed partnerships in the cooler areas of Napa, enabling us to produce a style of Chardonnay that embraces the finesse for which our wines are known. 

Winemaker's Notes:                                                                                                    The 2021 Chadonnay hails from Napa’s southernmost AVAs, where wind and fog contribute to much cooler growing conditions. Lemon peel and green apple mingle with sea salt, beeswax, and linden flower. Bosc pear, fines herbes, and cheese rind dance on the textured yet vibrant palate. The wine balances richness, tension, and energy through to the finish in a California nouveau style.

Tasting Notes:
The pretty flavors are dominated by quince and Bosc pear with nuances of beeswax, marjoram and gardenia adding intrigue and a lovely minerality persisting throughout. A pleasing tension between viscosity and acidity plays out on the palate with the bright acidity emerging triumphant. This flavorful, fresh, balanced wine represents everything they are aiming for in chardonnay at Pride Mountain Vineyards.

Ratings & Reviews:

90 Points - Vinous:                                                                                                      The 2021 Chardonnay (Napa Valley) is a pretty rich wine that offers quite a bit of textural intensity supported by bright, brisk acids. Lemon oil, mint, white flowers and chalk add vibrancy to a deep core of citrus fruit. Best After 2022

95 Points - Wine Enthusiast: