Hibou Chardonnay Napa Valley 2021

If you’ve had the grand opportunity to taste some of the Hibou we’ve had in the past, you know how pristine their wines are – and today’s small-production 2021 chardonnay is no exception. We’ve shared this one before and can only sing the highest of praises for this pure and richly balanced Napa chardonnay – although, we are running dangerously low on our wares in stock. For more than 50% off a pedigreed Napa Valley, 93-point beauty, this is what we’d classify as a “wine emergency.” Go, before the gettin’s gone!

Jason Driscoll is the owner and winemaker for Hibou, a small yet mighty family project that he runs alongside his wife, Hillary. As a Culinary Institute of America trained chef (the Greystone campus here in Napa), Jason’s wine internship and living amongst Napa Valley’s wine culture was enough to leave him enamored. Ever since, he’s been crafting non-intervention, minimalist, impeccably delicious wines for his label, Hibou (which means “owl” in French). He got his footing in winemaking under some of the greats, including Kirk Venge, and David and Katherine DeSante, devoting years of mentee time in Hunnicut’s cellars (next door to Ehren Jordan’s Failla).

His wines speak to his well-rounded training in both the food and wine worlds, as he develops lavish, immaculately pure sippers that complement food swimmingly, but also stand delightfully well on their own. And, no fear – this chardonnay is nowhere near the oaky butter bombs of yesteryear, instead opening with a vibrant and fresh citrus and stone fruit explosion, with notes of classic apples and pairs all brought together with supple layers of spice, nuttiness, and an electric wave of liveliness! This is styled more on par with a heady but traditional White Burgundy, a-la a good bottle of Puligny Montrachet (for way, way less!).

The 2021 is 100% whole cluster, rested in 50% new French oak with a solid amount of lees stirring among the barrels to draw out the creamy richness you love to get in a Cali-chard. Pouring a gorgeous golden flaxseed color, the wine opens with a captivating aroma of lemon meringue (with that perfect caramelized, burnt cream and sugar note), followed by toasted hazelnuts, baked apples, and fresh-grated nutmeg. The first sip brings on a creamy and boisterous sensation of ripe Bartlett pears, plump nectarines, and a toasted, buttery brioche bun, with veins of saline and minerals toning down some of the creamy, fruity power to make an ultimately balanced, unbelievably addicting Napa chardonnay. We could (and would happily, no questions) pay three times as much for this golden beauty – and have already loaded up our own stores, as it’s one that will age brilliantly for at least the next 5 years. For over 50% off, though, and a sincerely impeccable wine to keep on your radar at 93 points – it’s a decision that practically makes itself…grab as many as you can!

PAIRING IDEAS: This would be a great fit for chili verde – tender, slow-braised hunks of pork shoulder, cooked in a sauce of tomatillos, roasted poblanos, cilantro, and green chiles. Serve it over rice with some corn tortillas for sopping up all that deliciousness!