Shibumi Knoll’s Chardonnay has proven to be among the best Chardonnays coming out of California, thanks to winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown. The 2005 vintage received a 97 from the Wine Spectator and tied for the highest score given to a California Chardonnay in the first decade of this century. As a young winery just starting out, this is what put Shibumi Knoll on the map. Buena Terra Vineyard has been their sourced grower vineyard since the beginning and now their vines are 53 years old and produce big, tight golden bunches of grapes and have been working with the same 2.4-acre block since the beginning. The clonal selection is all Old Wente and the vines are head-trained and dry-farmed. “Pineapple and pear fruit is joined by hints of butter and toasty oak in this nicely balanced, poised effort. Medium to full-bodied, with a seductively silky texture, this is a lovely, easy-drinking Chardonnay to enjoy over the next several years.” 445 cases were produced.