A mixed box of the deliciously succulent 2006 Neyers Chardonnays which
(yesterday) received the blessings of The "Emperor of wine" his bad
self Robert Parker with an average score of 91.5 points - $425.00
After Discounts
Case includes the 4-Napa Valley, 4-Carneros, and 2-Thieriot
And 2-El Novillero. With an average price of $35.42/Bottle, these are
some of the highest rated/least expensive SUPER PREMIUM Chardonnays on
today's market.
"This (the 2006 Chardonnays) was the strongest line-up of wines Neyers
has yet produced" -Robert Parker
"Neyers Vineyards" is owned by Bruce and Barbara Neyers and their
winemaking partner, Ehren Jordan (winemaker at Turley as well as his
own "Failla" brand) thus answering the inevitable question as to what
Chardonnay would taste like if produced under the legendary Turley
label (Cult Zinfandels famous for their massively extracted, character
laden and hugely dimensional personalities). Ehren earned his stripes
working in the vineyards and wineries of some of France's greatest
regions. Bruce has spent decades working with legendary importer
Kermit Lynch as his national sales rep...together they make quite a
pair of Cal-Franco super-heroes.
Considering the inefficient and costly (yet undeniably gratifying)
techniques which Bruce and Ehren employ in producing these wines, I
believe their average bottle cost is severely under priced.
Submitted, for your perusal...
1) The Barrels which Ehren employs to produce these luscious wines are
made in France to his specifications from wood he and Bruce purchase
at auction. These vessels are air-dried for three years (one year
longer hence more costly than "normal"). All of the fruit is
hand-picked into half-ton bins and then laboriously hand sorted at the
winery. Any grapes which require more than a 30 minute commute from
their day-jobs in the vineyard to the facility are transported in
refrigerated trucks before punching the clock at Neyers for their
ultimate sacrifice, yet even then they are humanely treated...for
example;
2) The Neyers Chardonnay grapes are never crushed...instead, they are
slowly and gently whole-cluster pressed. The resulting juice is
racked directly into barrel and then fermented with indigenous wild
yeasts. This process is time consuming and expensive, but it produces
a level of richness and complexity not found in Chardonnay produced
otherwise.
I ask the Jury to consider the following;
3) Think of California's most sought after and lauded
multiple-vineyard Chardonnay producers...names like Kistler, Ramey,
Paul Hobbs and Patz & Hall immediately come to mind. (Throw out Helen
Turley's Marcassin wines because her scores AND prices are in the
stratosphere) I did a quick, 3 vintage survey comparing ratings (from
Parker, the WS, Connoisseur's Guide and CA Grapevine) versus pricing
for the above wines. The average numerical score awarded? 93.15; the
average bottle price? $59.38 my closing argument: The Average
numerical score given these four Neyers Chardonnays? 91.5; the average
bottle price? $35.41...Lettuce and Geraniums, I rest my case.
There is no (zero, nada, nyet) reason NOT to expect the Neyers
Chardonnays to rise into the rarified and exclusive air which is
otherwise reserved for California's most restricted and cherished
producers SUCH AS Kistler, Hobbs and Ramey. Your purchase of the
collection described below will insure your continued access to these
wines.
*4-2006 Neyers Carneros Chardonnay "90" Parker..."The '06 Carneros has
a nice, smoky nose of hazelnuts, honeyed citrus and a touch of
tropical fruits in a medium to full-bodied wine with great fruit
purity, richness and zesty underlying acidity...Neyers has an
impressive portfolio of wines, some of which come from his own estate
vineyards tucked away in the Conn Valley. His winemaker is none other
than Turley Cellars' highly respected Ehren Jordan. I thought this
was the strongest line-up of wines Neyers has yet produced...so it
seems he's on a roll...these are all pure, clean examples of
Chardonnay".
The fruit for the 2006 Neyers Chardonnays was harvested over the last
week of September through the third week of October. Neither fining
agents nor yeast foods or other additives were used throughout the
process. The length of the 2006 season was exaggerated (almost a
month longer than 2005). This increases the richness and flavor of
the wines and insures that the grapes fully ripen. The downside is
the ever-present risk of botrytis, a mildew that can result in
off-flavors if the grapes are not carefully sorted both in the
vineyard and at the winery...an expensive but necessary undertaking.
History has taught Bruce and Ehren that they make their best wines in
years like 2006, and this is ONE HUGE SUCCESS.
*2-2006 Neyers Thieriot Chardonnay "93" Parker..."Hints of lime oil,
white currant, peach and honeysuckle, all buttressed by terrific
acidity comprise the full bodied '06 Thieriot Vineyard. A cool
climate wine with some stunning acidity and nicely integrated wood,
this is a beauty that should drink nicely for another 3-4 years."
*"The Thieriot sports a rich, buttery style. Shows ripe, deep
tropical fruit framed by smoky, cedary oak, finishing with a long
persistent aftertaste". - Wine Spectator
* 4-2006 Neyers "Napa Valley Chardonnay"..."The '06 Napa reveals the
most tropical fruits, plenty of orange and nectarine notes, medium to
full-body and loads of pure fruit in a sexy, sensual style to drink
over the next 1-2 years"
*2-2006 Neyers El Novillero Chardonnay..."92" Parker..."Leesy
complexity is noticeable in the '06 El Novillero. This wine exhibits
good acidity and much more minerality, with hints or pineapple,
buttered citrus, brioche and waxy notes. The wine is a superb
Chardonnay, pure, medium to full-bodied, and I suspect capable of
lasting 3-4 years."
If you purchase only one producer's collection of 2006
single-vineyard/appellation Chardonnays, this box would HAVE to be on
your list. Considering price, quality, winemaking, winemaker,
age-ability and lineage ...$425.00 is a solid bargain.
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