past vintages of the elusive queen chardonnay

2021 Elusive Queen Chardonnay

99 cases produced
unfined and unfiltered
$95 (by allocation-click link below if you’d like to be on the waitlist)
release date: March 28th, 2023
label: Clare’s inspiration to complement Brian’s

As in years past the Elusive Queen and Earth represent less than 5% of our production but hopefully capture all of the best magic possible from the vintage. Brian does the heavy lifting of tasting all the barrels and narrowing them down to the very best few, then I help him select the final barrels that end up in Earth and the Elusive Queen. They are our highest expression of the vintage and represent our taste, and our very best wine!

tasting notes -The Elusive Queen presents itself with a quiet, graceful intensity. Asian pear and warm baking spice, waxy citrus oil and a hint of vanilla draw you in, revealing a beautiful rich mouth feel filled with delicate candied citrus flavors layered over warm apple pie. Spice and acid hold your attention into the very long finish and keep you coming back for more. 

scores -
96 pts — Wine Enthusiast Editor’s Choice
94 pts — Wine & Spirits
90 pts — Wine Spectator
17+ pts — Jancis Robinson (20 point system)
94 pts — Vinous

2019 Elusive Queen Chardonnay

122 cases produced
unfined and unfiltered
release date:April 19th, 2021
$85
label: Clare’s inspiration to complement Brian’s

As in years past the Elusive Queen and Earth represent less than 5% of our production but hopefully capture all of the best magic possible from the vintage. Brian does the heavy lifting of tasting all the barrels and narrowing them down to the very best few, then I help him select the final barrels that end up in Earth and the Elusive Queen. They are our highest expression of the vintage and represent our taste, and our very best wine!

tasting notes -
A subtle stunner. The Elusive Queen presents itself with a quiet, graceful intensity. Soft florals of orange and apple blossom, grapefruit oil and vanilla bergamot draw you in revealing a beautiful sleek, defined body. Delicate candied and honeyed citrus flavors warm to impressions of fresh apple cider donuts and cocoa butter. As the silky, elegant finish slowly fades, hints of marzipan draw you back for more.  

2018 The Elusive Queen Chardonnay

102 cases produced
unfined and unfiltered
$125 (sold out)
label- Clare’s creation to complement Brian’s

As in years past the Elusive Queen and Earth represent less than 5% of our production but hopefully capture all of the best magic possible from the vintage.  Brian does the heavy lifting of tasting all the barrels and narrowing them down to the very best few, then I help him select the final barrels that end up in Earth and the Elusive Queen. They are our highest expression of the vintage and represent our taste, and our very best wine! 

tasting notes -
The 2018 Elusive Queen Chardonnay is brimming with ripe pear, heady white flowers and graham cracker.  On first sip the acid and lemon give you a mouth-watering preview of what is to come.  The acidic structure is a perfect counterpoint to the lush and creamy flavors of lemon curd, and baked apple pie. The finish is incredibly elegant, like dry sweet grass in fall with a lingering minerality. 

scores —
95 pts — Washington Wine Blog
95 pts — Vinous
94 pts — Wine Enthusiast
93 pts — Purely Domestic Wine Report

2017 The Elusive Queen Chardonnay

102 cases produced
unfined and unfiltered
$150 (sold out)
label-Clare’s creation to complement Brian’s

As in years past the Elusive Queen is a wine that is comprised of 5 barrels that we chose as representing the best of the vintage. This is a special wine that represents the best chardonnay from our 2017 vintage.

tasting notes -
Beautiful notes of peach and white flower lead gently into a mid palate of baked green apple. There is a rounded delicate fruit component to this wine that gives way to the persistent mineral and river rock expression that carries through the long finish. The Elusive Queen is a wine whose character reflects her name. Like the 2015 this wine will cellar beautifully.

scores -
94 points - Washington Wine Blog
94 points - International Wine Report
94 points - James Suckling
93 points - The Pinotfile - Prince of Pinot
92 points - Purely Domestic Wine Report

2016 The Elusive Queen Chardonnay

104 cases produced
unfined and unfiltered
label — Clare's inspiration to compliment Brian's
$150 (sold out)

The 2016 Elusive Queen Chardonnay exudes an incredibly seductive aroma brimming with fresh fruit, minerality and savory toast. Green apple and lemon lift the wine's character up out of the glass and offer a mouth-watering preview of what is to come. There is a mineral component that leans toward flinty, smoky notes that play at the edges of broad and generous opulence. The acidic structure forms a tension on the finish that partners perfectly with the lush and creamy flavors of lemon curd, baked green apple and quince. This is a Chardonnay that could benefit from being decanted while in its youth, and will evolve with balance and grace over time.

scores—
97 points — Pinotfile, Prince of Pinot
94 points — Wine Enthusiast
94 points — James Suckling
94 points — International Wine Report
94 points — Washington Wine Blog
91 points —Purely Domestic Wine Report