The pinnacle of the Sphaerics lineup, this Chardonnay originates from the best parcel of the legendary Upper Barn Vineyard which was the source of some of Marcassin and Peter Michael’s greatest Chardonnays in the 1990s. Situated at 1,800 feet high in the Mayacamas above Alexander Valley, this site is widely considered one of the greatest Chardonnay vineyards in all of Sonoma County. The 2024 "if and only if" is a tour de force; it is powerful, structured, and profoundly mineral, offering layers of pear, crème brûlée, and crushed stone. It possesses a Grand Cru-level intensity and a broad, expansive drive that is rare in domestic whites. This is a modern day masterpiece for any collector of elite California Chardonnay.

New Releases from Chardonnay Icon Sphaerics
It’s no secret that Sphaerics Chardonnay by Laura Jones and Brian Ball was one of our top debut releases last year. Laura, formerly Aubert’s winemaker and currently Skipstone’s, and Brian, the GM of Skipstone, began the Sphaerics label when they accessed fruit from the best parcel in Alexander Valley’s Upper Barn Vineyard to produce their ‘If and Only If’ Chardonnay. This specific section of the historic vineyard, untouched by replanting, boasts original vines that once supplied Marcassin and Peter Michael in the 1990s. Their winemaking approach mirrors that of classic Burgundy estates, employing whole-cluster pressing, native yeast fermentation, and a slow, cool fermentation process.