Hawkes Winery is a small, family-owned Napa Valley producer best known for its handcrafted Cabernet Sauvignon and commitment to limited-production wines. Their Flora Blanc de Blancs is an equally meticulous project, with just 95 cases produced from the 2021 vintage. Crafted in the traditional method from 100% Chardonnay, it embodies the philosophy of a grower-produced sparkling wine, emphasizing site, balance, and precision over volume.
In style, it recalls top California Blanc de Blancs from producers such as Schramsberg and Roederer Estate, while maintaining its own distinctive, small-lot character. It proved to be the perfect bottle to celebrate the semiquincentennial Fourth of July at Tanglewood, pairing the elegance of fine sparkling wine with a perfomance by James Taylor.
Pale straw in color with excellent clarity, the wine opens with bright aromas of lemon, golden apple, white flowers, and a hint of crushed chalk. Fine, persistent bubbles give way to a refreshing yet creamy palate, where vibrant acidity is complemented by notes of toasted caramel and subtle brioche. The finish is long, precise, and remarkably fresh, reflecting the care taken in both vineyard and cellar.
Drinking beautifully today, this Blanc de Blancs also has the structure to develop additional toasted, nutty complexity over the next 3–5 years.