St. Innocent, Willamette Valley (Oregon) Chardonnay Freedom Hill Vineyard “Cuvée La Liberté 2018

($53):   The Cuvée La Liberté is a cellar selection of the best barrels of St. Innocent’s Freedom Hill Vineyard Chardonnay.  They consider it their top Chardonnay, making fewer than 100 cases of it compared to 1,100 cases of Freedom Hill Vineyard Chardonnay.  As good as their Freedom Hill Vineyard Chardonnay is, the Cuvée La Liberté is just, well, better.  Similarly sleek and racy, it is just more refined.  The difference is not in size or weight.  It delivers the same panoply of flavors, a kiss of spice, and the exquisite balance as the Freedom Hill bottling.  Its satiny silky texture makes it stand out.  Do not miss it.
95 Michael Apstein Aug 31, 2021