2018 Le Artishasic La Terre Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 750 ml

The 2018 Le Artishashic La Terre Chardonnay is a golden elixir that walks the knife’s edge between richness and weightlessness. A lithe, pure expression from two top-scoring Sonoma Coast vineyards, it’s a staple at more Michelin-starred Napa haunts than we can list. 

Exploding with pedigree and flavor, this is a top-tier Napa Valley Chardonnay that makes capturing the essence of this noble grape variety seem easy: A brilliant pale gold, vibrant tropical notes of pineapple and quince waft from the glass before ceding the spotlight to fresh yellow flowers, delicate citrus zest, and orange blossom. A study in balance and beauty, it’s easy to see why Napa’s top chefs consistently pour Le Artishasic alongside their hallmark dishes.

Thanks to our personal relationship with Le Artishashic mastermind Artie Johnson, we wrangled a few cases for Wine Access members, and we don’t expect them to last. 

Artie is a sommelier-gone-winemaker who has translated his expertise on the restaurant floor into crafting supreme, site-specific wines from California’s premier growing sites. After years in restaurants in Miami and New York, Artie further honed his palate in the cellars of Harlan Estate and Mayacamas before launching Le Artishashic in 2015.

“This is my interpretation of where Chardonnay can go in California,” he told us over a glass of this as-yet-unreleased, luminous Chardonnay on the lawn at Meadowood last month. “I try to think about how I can make a Chardonnay that represents California, but is restrained in the way that makes us appreciate a great white Burgundy.” 

In our opinion, the 2018 more than delivers on Artie’s goal by combining the unmistakable character and verve of the Sonoma Coast with the restraint and finesse that has made French Chardonnay iconic. 

The 2018 is sourced from two pristine sites on Sonoma’s rugged coast, where cold Pacific winds balance California’s signature sunshine allowing grapes to retain acidity yet develop full, ripe flavors. After harvest, the wines are aged in large barrels to minimize overtly oaky flavors while still lending the wine a sense of richness and balance. As Artie describes it, “This is California Chardonnay that’s restrained. It has a  respect for California, but is inspired by Puligny Montrachet, Meursault, and Chablis.”

We only have 32 cases of this Michelin-favorite, Burgundy-inspired gem. We suggest claiming all you can.