The 2023 Clarksburg Chenin Blanc is light, bright, and crisp, exactly as a Chenin Blanc should be, and perfect for the upcoming spring and summer months. Lovely aromatics abound! Light straw in color, the beautiful bouquet delights the nose and a hint of minerality adds body and a refreshing finish.
Laura and Michael Swanton recently celebrated 25 years of winemaking in Calistoga. The boutique winery is known for Zinfandel, but also produces single vineyard designated Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, a Calistoga red blend called “A Quiet Moment” and a Napa Brut specially commissioned for the anniversary. The Chenin Blanc project came along, and they could not resist.
Specs
Varietal: 100% Chenin Blanc
Appellation: Clarksburg
Alcohol: 13%
TA: .59
Harvest Date: September 3, 2023
pH: 3.47
Brix at Harvest: 24
Production: 195 cases
What’s Included
4-bottles:
4x 2023 Laura Michael Wines Chenin Blanc, Clarksburg
Case:
12x 2023 Laura Michael Wines Chenin Blanc, Clarksburg
Laura and Michael Swanton know the many challenges of establishing a boutique winery dedicated to crafting small quantities of fine wine in the Napa Valley. They have experienced them all in their demanding yet delicious, journey from fledging winery to award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel producers.
A long-time wine enthusiast, Owner and Proprietor Laura Swanton purchased the Calistoga winery estate that would become Laura Michael Wines from the Traulsen family in 1999. At the time, Laura was a sales specialist with Cisco Systems in San Jose. It was a career that required intimate knowledge of high-tech product application. Knowing how the technology worked was critical to her success in selling the product.
At the time Laura purchased the winery, Michael had embarked on an independent career in power generation and services, a career that spanned nearly two decades. When they came together in 2006, their current journey started and continues to this day.
Today, their tenacity for learning systems and science is directed at running their small winery and vineyard estate dedicated to limited-production, premium red wines. Since 1999, Laura has managed all winemaking processes from grape sourcing to the logistics of launching and operating a winery. Her zeal to understand winegrowing at its root has her pruning, picking, irrigating, and collecting samples in the vineyard. A thirst for winemaking knowledge encourages her participation in crush, pump-overs, racking, and bottling.
“We do it all,” says Laura. “It’s so important that we work alongside every member of our team, from the temporary harvest help to our consulting winemaker. We are not ones to stand on the sidelines, and fortunately, because we are as small as we are, we can be actively involved in every aspect of this business.”
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
2023 Laura Michael Wines Chenin Blanc
4 bottles for $54.99 $13.75/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $139.99 $11.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
We were lucky enough to be a lab rat. Full confession, we love Laura’s wine, but are 98% red wine drinkers. If we drink white wine, we like Pinot Blanc and non oak Chardonnay.
The wine is a lovely pale straw color. UPS had a delay, so we popped in the fridge and had it the same day. There was no noticeable smell, but that did not deter us from enjoying this wine.
The first taste, I got lychees and then spice. We paired it with Campo Grande pork ribs, baked potatoes and roasted broccolini. The spice rub on the pork ribs paired perfectly with this wine and with the broccolini.
The wine opened up with flavors of ginger, and pear/pineapple. It is not a sweet Chenin Blanc. This wine would go great with Thai or steelhead. It deserves to be paired with proteins that can stand up to it. It does not do good with dark chocolate, which we had for dessert. The flavors competed.
We were surprised how much we enjoyed this wine. Thanks Alice and Casemates. I know UPS has not been kind lately.
It would do well on a summer evening, but honestly, I would drink it any time of the year, depending on what you paired it with.
I am available for questions and I will be checking in.
@kaolis@stolicat St. Louis. I was not surprised the wine did not go with chocolate, but that is why there is whiskey in the house. It is well made juice.
This looks like a delicious, crowd pleasing white wine for a spring picnic party.
Curious as to if folks think this could last into spring '26 without losing any freshness and zip.
This is a first for me, ratting twice in two days. However, I am up to the challenge.
Like the previous rat who obviously got up earlier than I did, I am primarily a red wine drinker though I do enjoy the occasional white. My wife who is a white wine drinker has decided on a journey of only drinking on even numbered months this year so I am on my own.
First, I love Laura Michael’s Cabernets and I was first introduced to them here.
On popping the cork, I didn’t immediately get a nose but it’s already allergy season down here so I chalked it up to being stuffy. I did notice that, after about fifteen minutes in my glass, it opened up to aromas that made me think of crisp white peach, you know, the kind that you’ll stick in a bag to get more ripe? Also a crispness indicating some acidity to me. If I had to put a name on it, I would say “rounded freshness”.
On the palate, the first sip had a zing to it (the first Rat said ginger and, while that wasn’t in my notes, I agree fully). I also got some white grapefruit, lychee, maybe a little rumor of pear (again, that round characteristic).
I finished a couple of glasses with an impromptu charcuterie board. The brie we always keep in the house was very good with this as was the gouda I found. A couple of slices of sausage also went well with it. I did not care for it with a feta, though. My guess is this would go well with oily/fatty foods like sardines which I was wishing I had a can of at the time.
I’ll probably come back later for a case after consulting with my wife. This is probably going to be what we serve to entertain white wine drinkers this summer but only on even numbered months.
Once again, thanks for the opportunity to Rat, Alice. Really liked this one as it expanded my boundaries.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2023 Laura Michael Wines Chenin Blanc - $25 = 15.14%
Can you guys please give it a month or so before you post another fan favorite closing shop? My wife is going to cancel all of my credit cards if this keeps up.
@char2na@dianefreda@rjquillin@Winedavid59 She’s not exactly trying to drum up more business any more. Not a good excuse, and likely hurts sales here, but her longer term reason to join in is gone.
@char2na@dianefreda@rjquillin@Winedavid59 Sorry for the MIA, lots going on with a furry greeter. She’s now on the mend, out of the hospital.
This is my first production of Chenin Blanc. Napa chardonnay has gotten impossible (for me) to source so we’ve broadened our search for quality fruit. Still keeping it real on the price point - other Chenin’s are going for SRP $40 - $75 on the open market. My SRP on this is $30 at the tasting room.
Hi - Laura from Laura Michael Wines here. I apologize for my late entry into the conversation. Emergency surgery for my pup, Posey, has ruled my world since Sunday.
That aside, thank you for the support of this lovely Chenin Blanc. Sourced, for our first time, from the outstanding growing region of Clarksburg, this wine is one of my very favorite whites! Crisp, clean with not too much minerality. Lovely for a spring fling or for the upcoming hot summer months.
And - to address comments about our current status…yes, we are trying to retire. No, we have not sold and have no active offers on the table. As the state of the industry continues to grind, there is much trepidation and hesitation. I am not in any type of distressful situation that would force us to prematurely exit, stage left. So, we are continuing, albeit on a smaller scale, to produce our lovely wines and make them available both here and at our tasting room. You really should come visit when you have the chance.
2023 Laura Michael Wines Chenin Blanc, Clarksburg
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale on winery website, $360/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Mar 31 - Thursday, Apr 3
2023 Laura Michael Wines Chenin Blanc
4 bottles for $54.99 $13.75/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $139.99 $11.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
We were lucky enough to be a lab rat. Full confession, we love Laura’s wine, but are 98% red wine drinkers. If we drink white wine, we like Pinot Blanc and non oak Chardonnay.
The wine is a lovely pale straw color. UPS had a delay, so we popped in the fridge and had it the same day. There was no noticeable smell, but that did not deter us from enjoying this wine.
The first taste, I got lychees and then spice. We paired it with Campo Grande pork ribs, baked potatoes and roasted broccolini. The spice rub on the pork ribs paired perfectly with this wine and with the broccolini.
The wine opened up with flavors of ginger, and pear/pineapple. It is not a sweet Chenin Blanc. This wine would go great with Thai or steelhead. It deserves to be paired with proteins that can stand up to it. It does not do good with dark chocolate, which we had for dessert. The flavors competed.
We were surprised how much we enjoyed this wine. Thanks Alice and Casemates. I know UPS has not been kind lately.
It would do well on a summer evening, but honestly, I would drink it any time of the year, depending on what you paired it with.
I am available for questions and I will be checking in.
@danandlisa Well, you had me until you got to the dark chocolate. Seems odd considering the other compatibilities. That’s a deal breaker around here …
@danandlisa @stolicat To h*ll with the wine, you had me at Campo Grande ribs, love those things. You do back or St. Louis?
@kaolis @stolicat St. Louis. I was not surprised the wine did not go with chocolate, but that is why there is whiskey in the house. It is well made juice.
This looks like a delicious, crowd pleasing white wine for a spring picnic party.
Curious as to if folks think this could last into spring '26 without losing any freshness and zip.
@SmilingBoognish If I had to guess, I would say no. That being said, I don’t think you need to wait till summer to drink it.
This is a first for me, ratting twice in two days. However, I am up to the challenge.
Like the previous rat who obviously got up earlier than I did, I am primarily a red wine drinker though I do enjoy the occasional white. My wife who is a white wine drinker has decided on a journey of only drinking on even numbered months this year so I am on my own.
First, I love Laura Michael’s Cabernets and I was first introduced to them here.
On popping the cork, I didn’t immediately get a nose but it’s already allergy season down here so I chalked it up to being stuffy. I did notice that, after about fifteen minutes in my glass, it opened up to aromas that made me think of crisp white peach, you know, the kind that you’ll stick in a bag to get more ripe? Also a crispness indicating some acidity to me. If I had to put a name on it, I would say “rounded freshness”.
On the palate, the first sip had a zing to it (the first Rat said ginger and, while that wasn’t in my notes, I agree fully). I also got some white grapefruit, lychee, maybe a little rumor of pear (again, that round characteristic).
I finished a couple of glasses with an impromptu charcuterie board. The brie we always keep in the house was very good with this as was the gouda I found. A couple of slices of sausage also went well with it. I did not care for it with a feta, though. My guess is this would go well with oily/fatty foods like sardines which I was wishing I had a can of at the time.
I’ll probably come back later for a case after consulting with my wife. This is probably going to be what we serve to entertain white wine drinkers this summer but only on even numbered months.
Once again, thanks for the opportunity to Rat, Alice. Really liked this one as it expanded my boundaries.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2023 Laura Michael Wines Chenin Blanc - $25 = 15.14%
Can you guys please give it a month or so before you post another fan favorite closing shop? My wife is going to cancel all of my credit cards if this keeps up.
@char2na Are they really closing? I do love their reds.
@char2na @dianefreda
I think I recall this being mentioned in a previous offer, but don’t have time to scrounge for it just now.
@char2na @dianefreda @rjquillin Yes they are. It’s been discussed in at least the last 3 or 4 offers.
@char2na @rjquillin I hope I get one of their reds in my mystery case
@char2na @dianefreda @winedavid59
Yeah, and yet another winemaker that used to appear here remains MIA for this offer.
@dianefreda @rjquillin The Rutherford cab might be my favorite casemates order to date.
@char2na @dianefreda @rjquillin @Winedavid59 She’s not exactly trying to drum up more business any more. Not a good excuse, and likely hurts sales here, but her longer term reason to join in is gone.
@char2na @dianefreda @klezman @Winedavid59
Yeah, but…
First white offer
Winemaker comments (imo) would ;have been appropriate, and it’s ‘the first white’ and we know nothing.
nuff said.
/grump mode off
@char2na @dianefreda @rjquillin @Winedavid59 Sorry for the MIA, lots going on with a furry greeter. She’s now on the mend, out of the hospital.
This is my first production of Chenin Blanc. Napa chardonnay has gotten impossible (for me) to source so we’ve broadened our search for quality fruit. Still keeping it real on the price point - other Chenin’s are going for SRP $40 - $75 on the open market. My SRP on this is $30 at the tasting room.
Only bought one case. Considering adding another.
/giphy panoramic-quotable-pin
Went with a case.
/giphy maroon-finicky-perch
Anyone want to split a case - Boston/So. NH area?
/giphy relished-plausible-dust
/giphy wicked-unguarded-neptune
Hi - Laura from Laura Michael Wines here. I apologize for my late entry into the conversation. Emergency surgery for my pup, Posey, has ruled my world since Sunday.
That aside, thank you for the support of this lovely Chenin Blanc. Sourced, for our first time, from the outstanding growing region of Clarksburg, this wine is one of my very favorite whites! Crisp, clean with not too much minerality. Lovely for a spring fling or for the upcoming hot summer months.
@lauramichaelnv Welcome back, and hope the pup recovers fully and quickly!
@lauramichaelnv
Yup, good to see you back. We’ve missed you here on the board and with offers as well.
Pets are family, good to hear on the mend.
And - to address comments about our current status…yes, we are trying to retire. No, we have not sold and have no active offers on the table. As the state of the industry continues to grind, there is much trepidation and hesitation. I am not in any type of distressful situation that would force us to prematurely exit, stage left. So, we are continuing, albeit on a smaller scale, to produce our lovely wines and make them available both here and at our tasting room. You really should come visit when you have the chance.