2023 Reviews
Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck.com - Sonoma: The 2023s and 2022s
This is only Year Two for the winery. They only released the If and Only If last year, so the other two wines are new to the range. All are bottled without being fined or filtered.
2023 Sphaerics “if and only if” Chardonnay Upper Barn Vineyard Alexander Valley
98+ points
The 2023 Chardonnay If And Only If comes from a site in Upper Barn in the Alexander Valley, planted with the Wente clone by Helen Turley in 1982. The wine offers Grand Cru-like depth and intensity, packed with notes of lime oils, green apples, crushed stones, and fresh flowers. Full bodied, it offers a satin-like texture and a vibrant spine of acidity, with outstanding energy, bright saltiness, and a long finish. Stash this one away for a few years, and it should cruise well over the following decade. Drink 2025-2040.
2023 Sphaerics “on days and nights” Chardonnay Russian River Valley
96 points
Sphaerics doesn’t fine or filter any of their wines, but the brilliant yellow 2023 Chardonnay On Days And Nights looked a bit brighter at this tasting. The nose reveals a bit more depth, with notes of river rocks, light petrichor, and fresh pineapple. Coming from the northern end of the Russian River Valley, from Wente clones planted in 2004 on a steep, rocky slope, it has notes of fresh flowers and lemon candies. Full-bodied, it stays light on its feet, with lovely, balanced richness as well as hints of vanilla spice that last through the finish. It’s another beautiful wine and exceptional for their first vintage. It has fantastic length. Drink 2025-2037.
2023 Sphaerics “overline” Chardonnay Carneros Napa Valley
95 points
The 2023 Chardonnay Overline boasts a bright yellow color, and the nose delivers fantastic energy in its notes of bright flinty lift, lime zest, fresh citrus blossoms, and green apples. A blend of Chardonnay clones of Wente, Hyde, and Mt. Eden from three different parcels in Carneros, the palate offers crystalline purity with refreshing acidity, and its ripe citrus and fresh green apple fruit shines all the way through. It has a medium to full-bodied feel, but it’s pristine. Drink 2025-2040.
Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter - October 2025
2023 Sphaerics “if and only if” Chardonnay Upper Barn Vineyard Alexander Valley
99 points
Sourced from the original 1982 plantings of Jackson Family Wines’ Upper Barn site at their Alexander Mountain Estate Vineyard, this Chardonnay comes from Wente Clone vines on AxR1 rootstock planted at 1,800 feet of elevation. The same parcel contributed fruit to Marcassin’s Gauer Vineyard Upper Barn bottlings and Peter Michael’s Mon Plaisir during Mark Aubert’s tenure there in the 1990s and early 2000s, and has been used exclusively by Stonestreet since 2010. Aged 11 months in 70% new French oak followed by 5 months in stainless steel, it was bottled unfined and unfiltered. This is a truly profound Chardonnay. The depth of fruit and sheer length are astonishing—the flavours linger for over two minutes, carrying gracefully from sip to sip. Toasty oak complexity is seamlessly integrated thanks to the long, cool fermentation, while saline acidity adds precision and lift. Think the perfect dusting of sea salt over candied lemon peel and crystallised ginger, balanced by layers of rich, luminous fruit. It’s otherworldly—a timeless, classic expression of mountain-grown Chardonnay that you really just need to experience in the glass for yourself.
2023 Sphaerics “on days and nights” Chardonnay Russian River Valley
97 points
Hailing from a vineyard in the northernmost reaches of the Russian River Valley—a warmer pocket within this otherwise cool region—this Chardonnay comes from Wente Clone vines planted in 2004 on a steep, rocky slope. The wine was aged 11 months in 60% new French oak, followed by 5 months in stainless steel before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. The result is On Days and Nights, a plush, silky expression with remarkable depth and concentration. Vibrant notes of lemon oil, lemon zest, and chamomile mingle with wet stone and sea-salt nuances, creating layers of flavour that unfold slowly and completely across the palate. It’s soft and textural, yet filled with energy and precision, offering tremendous length and lingering brightness.
2023 Sphaerics “overline” Chardonnay Carneros Napa Valley
96 points
Sourced from a Carneros vineyard owned by the Lede family, situated across from Hudson and just behind Domaine Carneros, this Chardonnay brings together three clones from three distinct blocks—Old Wente, Hyde, and Mount Eden. The winemaking approach is consistent across the program: whole-cluster pressing, native yeast fermentation, and a long, cool barrel ferment. The wine completes full malolactic fermentation and ages for 11 months in 50% new French oak, followed by 5 months in stainless steel before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. The result is an incredibly bright, expressive wine bursting with lemon oil, lemon zest, and vibrant brown spices. Lovely stony minerality and a mouthwatering, electric sea-salt character frame layers of citrus and orchard fruit. Deeply flavorful, rich, and full-bodied yet brimming with tension, it’s a gorgeous, pure and delicious.
Jeremy Young, International Wine Report – 2025 Regional Report
2023 Sphaerics “if and only if” Chardonnay Upper Barn Vineyard Alexander Valley
99 points, #47 on Top 100 Wines of 2025
The 2023 Sphaerics “If and Only If” Chardonnay gleams with a pale golden hue edged in silver. Aromas rise slowly, layering white peach, preserved lemon, crushed chalk, honeysuckle, and a faint trace of sea breeze and mountain wildflowers. The nose just goes on and on an on. Moving to the palate, the wine feels both powerful and graceful, weaving together citrus oil, ripe pear, almond skin, and delicate spice that glides across the tongue with effortless precision. Its acidity is finely tuned, carrying an electric energy that balances the wine’s generous body, while subtle salinity underscores its mineral depth. The finish resonates with lingering notes of orchard blossoms and wet stone, lasting well beyond the final sip. This wine brings me the sensation of standing in a sunlit vineyard just after a summer rain, where the air feels clean and charged. It is a masterpiece of clarity and elegance, reminding me more of the finest parcels of Burgundy than of California. With patience, it will only deepen in complexity, rewarding a decade or more of cellaring. It could be the best California Chardonnay I’ve ever tasted. Highly recommended and editor’s choice.
2023 Sphaerics “on days and nights” Chardonnay Russian River Valley
97 points
The 2023 Sphaerics “On Days and Nights” Chardonnay shines with a pale golden hue and a silvery rim, reflecting clarity and energy. Aromas drift upward with scents of wet clay, crushed seashells, white nectarine, and subtle hints of chamomile tea. On the palate, it layers ripe Meyer lemon zest, Asian pear, and honeysuckle with an undercurrent of spice that recalls lightly toasted almond. Its body feels generous yet remarkably lifted, as bright acidity keeps the wine lively and precise. The finish lingers with lingering notes of citrus oil and crushed herbs, showing both finesse and power. For food, pair it with grilled lobster brushed in lemon butter, where the richness of the shellfish finds a perfect balance in the wine’s mineral-driven brightness. Highly recommended.
2023 Sphaerics “overline” Chardonnay Carneros Napa Valley
96 points
The 2023 Sphaerics “Overline” Chardonnay glimmers pale lemon with a watery rim in the glass, hinting at its brightness and refinement. Aromas unfold gradually, starting a bit reductive, and then open up to notes of Meyer lemon peel, crisp apple, crushed seashell, white jasmine, underripe pear, and a hint of wet stone. On the palate, it is both precise and generous, weaving together green melon, quince, chamomile, and subtle nutmeg spice. A racy line of acidity carries the flavors with impressive clarity, while its polished texture provides a graceful counterpoint. Layers of citrus oil and saline minerality extend the finish, which lingers long after each sip. Highly recommended.
James Suckling, Weekly Tasting Report – December 2025
2023 Sphaerics “if and only if” Chardonnay Upper Barn Vineyard Alexander Valley
97 points
This shows power, density, poise, precision and mineral purity. Aromas of citrus oil, salted nuts, lanolin and spices. The palate is immense and textured, with taut acidity and a mouthwatering finish that lasts minutes. A very complete, decadent and impressive chardonnay sourced from a mountain vineyard planted in 1982 with Wente heritage clone. Drink or hold.
2023 Sphaerics “on days and nights” Chardonnay Russian River Valley
96 points
Powerful yet restrained, with lovely depth of fruit and such charm. Preserved lemons, sea spray, citrus oil, pastry, wet stones and beeswax on the nose. The palate is refined, with bright acidity and lovely density of fruit that is mineral-edged, refined and polished. This is excellent and so tense and vibrant underneath all the depth. Drink or hold.
2023 Sphaerics “overline” Chardonnay Carneros Napa Valley
95 points
An impressive balance of power and a hint of reduction, showing pure citrus and white orchard fruit with underlying notes of salted nuts and flint. The round palate has a silken mouthfeel with a bright line of acidity and a long finish. Direct press to barrel, no fining or filtration into bottle. Really delicious. Drink or hold.
Owen Bargreen - 2025 Sonoma Report
2023 Sphaerics “if and only if” Chardonnay Upper Barn Vineyard Alexander Valley
97 points, #31 on Top 100 Wines of 2025
The 2023 ‘If And Only If’ comes from the famed Upper Barn Vineyard in the Alexander Valley. The wine comes from original plantings from 1982. A golden color in the glass, this was stored in roughly 60% new French oak prior to bottling. This is very nervy and tense wine that has beautiful opulence, texture and flavor density. Gorgeous melon and tropical fruits parade with citrus zest, vanilla cream and pie crust notes. This is somehow even better than the ’22, with more nerve and sensational richness. Enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035
2023 Sphaerics “on days and nights” Chardonnay Russian River Valley
96 points
The brilliant 2023 Sphaerics ‘On Days And Nights’ Chardonnay comes from the Bell Mountain Ranch on the northern portion of the Russian River Valley. This Wente clone Chardonnay was stored in roughly 60% new French oak before bottling. It is offering wonderful opulence and a seamless texture mid-palate. Concentrated melon and tropical fruit collide with copious minerals and glorious length that just doesn’t stop. Drink 2025-2035.
2023 Sphaerics “overline” Chardonnay Carneros Napa Valley
95 points
The 2023 ‘Overline’ comes from the Carneros region of the Napa Valley. The property is located behind Domaine Carneros and has three different Chardonnay clones, Hyde, Old Wente and Mt. Eden selections. Stored in 50% new French oak this evokes Meyer lemon cream and papaya on the nose alongside wet stone and shades of cantaloupe with pastry crust notes. This is fresh and fragrant Chardonnay, with lovely salty and nutty undertones. Drink 2025-2033
Maryann Worobiec, Wine Spectator - July 2025
2023 Sphaerics “if and only if” Chardonnay Upper Barn Vineyard Alexander Valley
94 points
Elegant and powerful, this intense white opens with a flinty note before giving way to litsea oil, fresh tarragon and grilled peach. The creamy texture and fresh thread of acidity provide a profound background for orange blossoms and toasted, salted almond. There's a touch of lime sherbet on the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2037. 200 cases made.
2023 Sphaerics “on days and nights” Chardonnay Russian River Valley
93 points
Leaps out of the glass with aromatic notes of struck match, litsea oil and beeswax that show a savory element. Generous flavors of crunchy sea salt, caramel, peach cobbler and lemon curd showcase details of white pepper, cardamom and dried lemongrass, with plenty of oomph on the long finish. Drink now through 2037. 200 cases made.
2023 Sphaerics “overline” Chardonnay Carneros Napa Valley
92 points
Memorable for its energy and vibrancy, with a sleek mix of pear, pineapple, Meyer lemon and Honeycrisp apple and lime zest flavors. Details of sweetgrass, lemon balm and lemongrass linger on the finish, where the note of freshness lingers. Drink now through 2035. 240 cases made.
Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate - Sphaerics – New Star Rising
I first encountered Sphaerics as a barrel sample of 2022 Chardonnay. A lot of wines come across my desk, but this one immediately stood out.
2023 Sphaerics “if and only if” Chardonnay Upper Barn Vineyard Alexander Valley
95+ points
Bottled the week before I tasted it, the 2022 Chardonnay If And Only If is a touch shy at this stage, offering hints of panna cotta, matchstick and well-woven oak spice. The palate features pure, green tropical fruit flavors and spicy accents. Despite its concentration, its energetic acidity gives it a weightless feel, and it has a long, dynamic finish. 200 cases were made.
2023 Sphaerics “on days and nights” Chardonnay Russian River Valley
94+ points
Bottled the week before I tasted it, the 2023 Chardonnay On Days And Nights opens dramatically with air: apricot, lemon and jasmine give way to deeper tones of brown sugar and panna cotta. The palate is much more open at this stage, offering a satiny texture and concentrated, perfumed fruit flavors. It’s balanced by a crescendo of fresh acidity and has a long, spicy finish. 200 cases were made.
2023 Sphaerics “overline” Chardonnay Carneros Napa Valley
95 points
Bottled the week before I tasted it, the 2023 Chardonnay Overline is pure and arresting on the nose. Meyer lemon, poached pears and elderflower are lent more complexity by nuances of matchstick and spice. The palate is full-bodied and satiny, with pure flavors and expertly integrated new-oak character. Its generosity is balanced by fireworks of fresh acidity, and it has a very long, layered finish. 240 cases were made.
Billy Norris, Vinous - January 2026
2023 Sphaerics “if and only if” Chardonnay Upper Barn Vineyard Alexander Valley
96 points
The 2023 Chardonnay If And Only If hails from the Upper Barn Vineyard on Alexander Mountain. The 2023 beckons you in with its depth and power, brooding with intensity and minerality while bristling with brightness and energy. Lemon oil, pear, marzipan, chalk and a lift of fresh mint unfurl in a peacock’s tail of complex flavors and aromas. Everything here is delivered with crystalline focus, leaving a palpable sense of texture and grip that begs you to take another sip, then another. The finish goes on for days. Very impressive stuff.
2023 Sphaerics “on days and nights” Chardonnay Russian River Valley
94 points
Hailing from the northeastern reaches of the Russian River Valley, the 2023 Chardonnay On Days And Nights is an archetype of Russian River Chardonnay. It’s powerfully concentrated and deeply layered, saturating every corner of the palate with stone fruit richness and white pepper-like phenolics. Sweet, rounded lemon curd and toasty vanilla tones build with air, but the 2023 maintains a sense of tension through and through.
2023 Sphaerics “overline” Chardonnay Carneros Napa Valley
95 points
The 2023 Chardonnay Overline is from a newer planting in Carneros. It’s an oily, tropical, exotic wine that delivers so much freshness and tension in a generous, creamy package before delving deeply into a tense, phenolic array of grip and prickly acids. It's a combination that works so well. Orange confit, chalk, baked apple tart and lemon oil blossom with air, but where the 2023 shines brightest is in the way it envelopes the palate without any heaviness.