Mission Codename The Rebel
“One of the most coveted producers in Sonoma County.” - Sonoma Magazine
By now the genie is out of the bottle and anyone who bought their wines we offered knows the vinous magic found inside every La Pitchoune.
This particular bottling is much loved by “in the know” Chard-hunters, sommeliers, and locals alike. We’ve tasted many of their wines over the years but this one? Wow. Love at first sip! It has all the focus and purity of a great Burgundy with the flashy warmth of California Chardonnay. And best of all it’s nearly HALF off the release price today!
The Nielsens aim to make wine in a Burgundian fashion. Working with small farmers, producing just a few barrels at a time, and striving for the highest quality. The name “La Pitchoune” or “little one” even comes from a small vineyard in Burgundy. Their Revolte bottling comes from two highly coveted vineyards in the Sonoma Coast region - Pratt and Falcon Crest. Notable producers who source from here include Copain, Cattleya, Spring Mountain, and Crescere.
Winemaker Andrew Berge led the way for years, until his untimely passing in 2021. But wines like this will carry on his legacy for many years, decades to come. We’re quite sure this would impress ten years from now. Or much longer.
Fantastically balanced with fruit, acid, ripeness all in perfect harmony. Aged in French oak, but it doesn’t go off the deep end into a butter-soaked adventure. There’s golden apple, yellow pear, and white nectarines all layered on top of fresh baked lemon curd, vanilla, and captivating floral nuances that pop up like excited daffodils in the Spring. This walks a perfect tightrope between the lush, riper styles and the crisp, acid driven profile, which makes it a HUGELY popular style for most anyone.
This fresh release has zero press yet, but since the inaugural 2013, which Robert Parker described as “an impressive, Burgundian-style Chardonnay (think Bâtard-Montrachet)” it has consistently hit big and sold out fast. Though we must say that “think Bâtard-Montrachet” is quite the thought provoking send Mr. Parker as those of this same vintage range $230-1,000+ a bottle. Where’s that, and where’s the twenty-five bucks here???!!
We have little to spare on a quiet Sunday morning. Get some before it’s too late!
What the Winery Says
2018 'La Révolte' Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
- Winemaker
- Andrew Berge
- Varietal
- 100% Chardonnay
- Vintage
- 2018
- Alcohol
- 14.1%
- Appellation
- Sonoma Coast
- Vineyards
- Pratt & Falcon Crest
- Clones
- Wente, Wente-Hyde, Robert Young, Mt. Eden
- Brix at harvest
- 23 ̊ to 24.7 ̊
- Total acidity
- 5.1 g/L
- pH
- 3.24
- Harvest dates
- September 1, 5 & 10, 2018
- Aging
- 16 months
- Barrels
- 10% new French oak
- Production
- 9 barrels