The Thesis Russian River Chardonnay 2024 is selling for $9.99 at Costco, but $35 to $50 on the internet. This wine is produced by Fior di Sole, a family-owned Napa winery, though the Russian River is located in Sonoma.
The Story
The Thesis Russian River Chardonnay 2024 was a surprise. A ten-dollar Chardonnay from Costco is usually a bargain, but this Chardonnay is 66% to 80% off the usual price.
The Russian River Valley in Sonoma runs east-west, then turns north along the Pacific Coast. The lower Russian River Valley is a premier Pinot Noir and Chardonnay growing region, while it gets warmer farther north.
Fior di Sole has their own brands as well as making custom wines. I have seen their custom wines of Trader Joe’s and Aldi shelves.
The Thesis wine is not listed on the Fior di Sole website, so I had to rely on Google Ai for information.
Google mentions that this Chardonnay was aged in French oak barrels for 10 months. The grapes are from a cool climate and Wine Enthusiast awarded this vintage 90 points.
The alcohol content is 13.9%.
The Thesis Russian River Chardonnay 2024 Tasting Notes
The color is a melon yellow with gold highlights. The nose is vanilla, oak spice, apple, lemon, a whiff of tropical fruit, and a floral edge. The Thesis Russian River Chardonnay 2024 has a smooth mouth feel and lush fruit and citrus on the palate. There is a weight to this Chardonnay.
This Chardonnay tastes like a stew of peach, pear, and lemon, then French vanilla, tart Green apple, stone fruit, a guava, and dried pineapple.
The acidity allows the flavors to fully unfold, giving his wine excellent length.
The Summary
- The Thesis Russian River Chardonnay 2024 is an excellent Chardonnay.
- I believe that it has sold in the $35 to $50 range; it has that sort of complexity.
- Run, don’t walk, to Costco.
