2026 Early Candidate for Top 20

I always like to set forward a new year with great wines that could make the top 20. Well this one is more of a surprise but at the same time it is Drew which is one of my favorite producers from California.

Just had some debates with people about wines not improving over 3 days on cellar tracker and Facebook. What I will say about those individuals they clearly have no track record on the subject. Here is another example of a wine improving over 3 days and in this case day 3.5!

• 2023 Drew Family Cellars Chardonnay Radiolaria – USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino Ridge (1/1/2026)
  Day 1: Riedel Performance Chardonnay glass. 13.2% Alcohol. Outstanding quality. Chablis like with minerals, shells, saline, lemon, sour apple, spice and mild oak. Medium finish and nice acidity. A true gem in California Chardonnay. Great start to 2026 wine reviewing. 94 points
  Day 2: For sure the first of many great wines in 2026. Wonderful with shells, saline, mild oak, sour apple, minerals, dust, white flowers and grapefruit. Nice acidity and medium finish. Really balanced wine. 94.5 points
  Day 3: Excellent again. Everything I look for in a good domestic Chardonnay. Nice acidity, fruit, minerality and much more. The oak influence is there but does not dominate the wine like some Cali Chardonnays. This is a great effort. 94.5 points
  Day 3.5: Well this is outstanding. Time, it is all about time and improvement on a wine. Shells, matchstick, lemon, lime, minerals, stone, white flowers, apricots, sour apple, mango and saline. Medium plus finish and so awesome it is hard to believe. 95+
  Stats: 20% New French. 17 months in neutral oak Foudre & seasoned French Oak barrels. Dijon 76 & Dijon 548
  Recommendation: Just achieved 95 and might even be better over time!!! (95 points)