Reviews
Decanter
2022 Draco Dormiere
The 2022 Draco Dormiere is the second vintage of this wine, crafted to showcase the best of the Knights Bridge estate. A Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend (52%), it includes all five Bordeaux varietals — Malbec (21%), Merlot (11%), Petit Verdot (11%), and Cabernet Franc (5%) — making into a wine with both depth and elegance. Lavender and crushed violet aromas evolve into herbaceous notes. On the palate, ripe blackberries, black cherries, and a hint of cassis lead the way, finishing with a freshly minty, pine-like character.
Decanter
2022 Linville Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2022 Linville Cabernet Sauvignon is dark, deep, and full-bodied. Floral notes of violets evolve into layers of black and blue fruits — blueberries, blackberries, and black cherries. The mid-palate brings a touch of cocoa nibs and spices, adding some complexity. The tannins are present yet finely structured, supporting the wine’s rich, balanced character.
Decanter
2022 Christobel Cabernet Sauvignon
The Christobel is one of the Vineyard Collection wines from Knights Bridge, sourced from select blocks. The 2022 vintage, from old vines in blocks 11 and 14, was shaped by extremes — frost and heat — which significantly reduced yields. The result is a wine that is very aromatic and packed with flavors. Tart blackberries, plums, and wet soil aromas lead into a firm backbone yet lively palate with focused acidity and a hint of orange rind, adding a bright, slightly bitter edge. A wine with character. Delicious.
Decanter
2023 West Block Chardonnay
One of the longest-standing bottlings from Knights Bridge, the West Block Chardonnay (Block 8), is sourced from vines over 30 years old, all dry-farmed. The result is a wine of depth and complexity. The 2023 vintage opens with lemon verbena, pears, and a showy, flinty minerality, while the mid-palate offers a natural viscosity, thanks to 38% ageing in new French oak and partial malolactic fermentation. Flavours of honeycomb, nuts, and citrus peel. A fresh yet textured wine.
Decanter
2023 East Block Chardonnay
Crafted from the 548 Burgundian clone and sourced from one of the coolest sections of the Knights Bridge vineyard, the 2023 East Block Chardonnay balances richness and freshness. Aged in just over 40% new French oak, it opens with vibrant aromas of bruised apples, neroli, and a touch of reductive flintiness. Bright acidity energises the palate with layers of zesty citrus, lemon pastry, and toasted almonds. The finish is long and dynamic, leaving a lasting impression of citrus and subtle spice.
Decanter
2023 Kelley Chardonnay
The Kelley Chardonnay 2023 is sourced from the highest elevation plots at 600-900 feet on volcanic soils with an east-facing orientation — a prime spot at the Knights Bridge estate. The Wente clone is the backbone of this Chardonnay. The 50% new French oak brings out aromas of apple pie and honeysuckle, with a little reduction adding some depth. The palate has a voluptuous mouthfeel with layers of lemon and lime pie, and the sharp acidity keeps it fresh. It’s vibrant and bold with a warm finish.
Decanter
2023 Fairview Sauvignon Blanc
The Fairview Sauvignon Blanc is a vibrant and slightly more expressive take on the varietal from Knights Bridge from a single block on the estate vineyard. Glowing in the glass with a brilliant golden hue, it bursts with aromas of citrus oils, kumquat, and white peaches. The 42% lightly toasted new French oak offers a textured mouthfeel with a touch of nutmeg. Bright acidity carries through to a long, citrus-driven finish, balancing the wine’s richness and depth. Only 197 cases were made.
Decanter
2022 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
A blend of different blocks, soil types, and clones from across the vineyard, this Cabernet sees a touch of Petit Verdot and Merlot, adding depth and complexity. Aged in 75% new French oak, it presents a bold yet balanced profile. Aromas of blackberries, currants, sage, and dried tobacco leaves lead the way, with a hint of sweetness reminiscent of toffee. The palate is structured yet fresh, with high acidity and integrated tannins, providing balance and energy.
Decanter
2023 Pont de Chevalier Chardonnay
Sourced from one of the coldest blocks of the Knights Bridge estate vineyard, the Pont Chevalier Chardonnay is a fresh, balanced wine. The 2023 vintage offers a medium-bodied Chardonnay with vibrant minerality, thanks partly to ageing in just over 60% in concrete eggs. Bright aromas of lime, lemon, and honeysuckle open in the glass, while the palate brings layers of candied ginger and a subtle creaminess reminiscent of frangipane, with a long and refreshingly citrusy finish.
Decanter
2023 Pont de Chevalier Sauvignon Blanc
The 2022 Knights Bridge Point de Chevalier Sauvignon Blanc is a bright blend of floral and fruity notes. It opens with aromas of lemon blossom, white flowers, citrus peel, white peaches, nectarines, and a hint of green guava. Aged mostly in concrete (70%), with the remainder in stainless steel (25%) and just a touch of new French oak (5%), it keeps a fresh and vibrant profile. A salty finish brings everything together, making this a quite pretty Sauvignon Blanc. Tasted by: Ana Carolina Quintela (at Sonoma, California, 12 Apr 2025)
James Suckling
2023 Kelley Chardonnay
So pure and mineral, it sits on the edge of reduction with lemon and lime pith, honeysuckle, struck match and river stones. The medium-bodied palate has a tightly wound acidity that contributes tension and energy, the high fruit concentration bringing a wonderful balance. Drink or hold.
James Suckling
2023 East Block Chardonnay
Complex aromas of orange blossoms, grapefruit, struck match, beeswax and white rose petals. The medium-bodied palate has high-tension acidity and a creamy texture, showing spices, lemon curd, tangerines, and talcum powder. Floral, spicy, and generous with a mineral edge. Only partial malolactic fermentation. Drink or hold.
James Suckling
2023 West Block Chardonnay
Aromas of lemon confit, honeycomb, talcum powder, orange blossoms and flint. The medium-bodied palate has high-tension acidity and layers of lime leaves, baking spices, cheese rind and lanolin. A wonderful balance of power and freshness with great poise. Drink or hold.
James Suckling
2023 Fairview Sauvignon Blanc
Complex aromas of grapefruit, orange blossoms, lemon curd and struck match. The medium-bodied palate shows yellow apples, flint, beeswax, honeysuckle, and lime curd. Textural and reductive with an expressive profile full of mineral tension. 42% new French-oak puncheons. Delicious. Drink or hold.
James Suckling
2022 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Deep and brooding nose with notes of blackcurrants, cocoa and charcuterie. The palate is tied together seamlessly with very fine and supple tannins, fresh acidity and layered nuances of bramble, earth, graphite and dried herbs. Excellent. Made from 77% cabernet sauvignon, 15% petit verdot and 8% merlot grown across three different soil profiles. Drink or hold.
James Suckling
2023 Pont de Chevalier Chardonnay
Mineral-driven notes of lemon zest, flint, and apple blossoms. The palate has a laser like acidity, showing pastry, grapefruit, and honeysuckle. No malolactic fermentation, but the old French oak gives texture to the tension and brightness. Drink or hold.
James Suckling
2023 Pont de Chevalier Sauvignon Blanc
Aromas of lemon pith, Asian pears, apple blossoms and lime curd. The medium-bodied palate has creamy texture and energetic acidity, showing rose petals, peaches, and passion-fruit coulis. A great balance between power and mineral tension with some phenolics for structure. Drink or hold.
Wine Advocate
2022 Draco Dormiere
The 2022 Draco Dormiere is a blend of the best barrels of the vintage. It is composed of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Malbec, 11% Merlot, 11% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc and was matured for 20 months in 71% new French Sylvain, Taransaud and Darnajou barrels. It’s deep and savory on the nose, releasing scents of cassis, espresso, bitter chocolate, aniseed and violet. The full-bodied palate explodes with dark, floral flavors, and its new-oak character is already well integrated. It has a seamless structure of silky tannins and juicy acidity and a long, perfumed finish. It will be released in October 2025.
— Erin Brooks
Wine Advocate
2023 Kelley Chardonnay
The 2023 Chardonnay Kelley was matured for 12 months in 53% new French oak and underwent partial malolactic conversion. Initial wafts of saline and matchstick give way to deeper tones of quince, apricot, panna cotta and crème brûlée. The palate balances concentrated, creamy flavors with gently tangy acidity that gives it a sense of weightlessness, and it has a long, mineral-driven finish.
— Erin Brooks
Wine Advocate
2022 Linville Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Linville was matured for 20 months in 75% new French oak. It has layered aromas of red and black cherry, milk chocolate, espresso and aniseed. Full-bodied, it floods the mouth with generous, violet-laced flavors and is structured by firm, grainy tannins. It’s balanced by just enough juicy acidity and has a long, mineral-laced finish. It will be released in August 2025 and will benefit from time in the cellar.
— Erin Brooks
Wine Advocate
2022 Christobel Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Christobel was matured for 20 months in 75% new Sylvain French oak barrels. It has alluring aromas of black cherry and plum, chocolate, soy sauce, earth and spice. The full-bodied palate is elegant and perfumed. It’s structured by powdery tannins and juicy acidity and has a long, floral finish. It will be released in August 2025.
— Erin Brooks
Wine Advocate
2023 East Block Chardonnay
The 2023 Chardonnay East Block has open-knit aromas of peach, apricot, citrus blossoms, honey, vanilla and panna cotta. The full-bodied palate is ripe and spicy with a satiny, mouth-coating texture and well-integrated new-oak character from its 12 months in 42% new French oak. Its expansive flavors are balanced by vibrant acidity, and it has a long, spicy finish.
— Erin Brooks
Wine Advocate
2023 West Block Chardonnay
The 2023 Chardonnay West Block has slowly blossoming aromas of peach, apricot, roasted almonds, honeysuckle and spice. The medium-bodied palate features concentrated, detailed flavors and well-integrated new-oak character from its 12 months in 38% new French oak. It’s balanced by vibrant acidity and has a long, layered finish.
— Erin Brooks
Wine Advocate
2023 Fairview Sauvignon Blanc
Matured for 11 months in 42% new French oak, the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc Fairview opens with classy oak spice that gives way to yellow apple, peach and dried flowers. The medium-bodied palate is concentrated and textural with expansive, spicy flavors. It’s balanced by refreshing acidity and has a long, layered finish. It opens dramatically as it warms in the glass and will benefit from time in a decanter.
— Erin Brooks
Wine Advocate
2022 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Blended with 14% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate has alluring aromas of blackberry and blackcurrant, charcoal, aniseed and well-integrated new oak spice from 20 months’ maturation in 70% new French oak. The palate is full-bodied and powerfully styled, its mineral-driven flavors structured by firm tannins and bright acidity. It will be released in August 2025.
— Erin Brooks
Wine Advocate
2023 Pont de Chevalier Chardonnay
The 2023 Chardonnay Pont de Chevalier was matured for 12 months in concrete egg (61%) and used French oak (39%) and did not undergo malolactic conversion. It has understated scents of yellow apple, bread dough, vanilla and honeysuckle. The palate is light-bodied and tangy with perfumed flavors and a refreshing finish.
— Erin Brooks
Wine Advocate
2023 Pont de Chevalier Sauvignon Blanc
The 2023 Sauvignon Blanc Pont de Chevalier was matured for seven months, mainly in concrete and stainless steel. It has understated aromas of kiwi, Meyer lemon, elderflower and gravel dust. The medium-bodied palate offers pure, concentrated flavors and a slightly rounded texture. It’s balanced by bright acidity and has a fresh, perfumed finish.
— Erin Brooks
Wine Enthusiast
2022 Cristobel Cabernet Sauvignon
Editors’ Choice Selection
Review pending
Wine Enthusiast
2023 Kelley Chardonnay
Editors’ Choice Selection
Review pending
Wine Enthusiast
2022 Linville Cabernet Sauvignon
Cellar Selection
Review pending
Wine Enthusiast
2023 East Block Chardonnay
Review pending
Wine Enthusiast
2023 Fairview Sauvignon Blanc
Review pending
Wine Enthusiast
2023 West Block Chardonnay
Review pending
Wine Enthusiast
2023 Pont de Chevalier Chardonnay
Review pending
Wine Enthusiast
2023 Pont de Chevalier Sauvignon Blanc
Review pending
Features
The 50 Greatest California Chardonnays of the 21st Century So Far
Robb Report
August 14, 2025
Knights Bridge Winery 2008 West Block Chardonnay Sonoma
Among its first releases, this beautiful estate Chardonnay showed off citrus and orchard fruit flavors wrapped in twin sheaths of acidity and minerality.
— Mike DeSimone & Jeff Jenssen
Derek Baljeu Hopes Wine Will Speak to More People
Wine Spectator
February 5, 2024
…Before long, he was interning in Lodi at Jessie’s Grove Winery and researching phenolic development in To Kalon Vineyard. Those experiences led to career-defining jobs in Napa Valley…
— Virginie Boone
The 50 Best Wines Under $50 From Our Critic, Who Tasted 4,223
Bloomberg
December 13, 2024
2022 Knights Bridge Pont de Chevalier Chardonnay
Golden in color, this citrus-toned, richly textured white is from the coldest site on this excellent, and a bit under-the-radar estate in Sonoma’s Knight’s Valley.
— Elin McCoy
7 Stellar Sonoma Chardonnays to Buy Right Now
Robb Report
January 25, 2024
Knights Bridge 2020 West Block Chardonnay Knights Valley Sonoma California
Brilliant straw colored in the glass, this elegant Chard has aromas of lemon grass, acacia honey, freshly cut hay, and white citrus blossoms followed by flavors of Meyer lemon, crystalized ginger, and dried Mediterranean herbs.
— Mike DeSimone & Jeff Jenssen
Black History Always: Derek Baljeu Is Tackling The Wine World
Forbes
March 1, 2024
‘Taking one step back, there are so many organizations that are coming together to promote D&I and the wind is in their sails to make a change like the Association of African American Vintners (AAAV) and The Roots Fund (TRF).’
— Noel Burgess
This Indulgent Cabernet Sauvignon Blend Shows Off Sonoma’s Terroir
Robb Report
August 27, 2024
It is luxurious on the palate, offering opulent tannins shrouded in flavors of cassis, purple plum, cocoa powder, caramel, and lavender with a soft touch of mountainside herbs on the lengthy finish.
— Mike DeSimone & Jeff Jenssen
Remembering Howard Backen
C: California Style & Culture
2024
…to other wine country mainstays like Screaming Eagle, Continuum Estate (the new home for the Mondavi family’s second- and third-generation winemakers), and Knights Bridge Winery, Backen’s work is identifiable with the region and its world-class wines.
— David Nash
Football Player Finds His Passion in Winemaking, Lands Role at Award-Winning Calistoga Winery
The Press Democrat
June 17, 2024
‘Winemaking is deeply connected to nature so you get to be outside. It also has an artistic aspect, a scientific side and a social part that connect you to the community,’ said Baljeu. ‘I don’t do the same thing two days in a row, and that keeps me engaged.’
— Sarah Doyle
Meet The Urban Grape’s Co-Founder TJ Douglas
Modern Luxury DC
May 30, 2024
Two winemakers you love right now?
‘The winemaker for our new brand, Progressive Wine Company, Aaron Piotter, is bringing our vision to life, and Derek Baljeu at Sonoma’s Knights Bridge Winery.’
— Michael McCarthy
This Rising Star Napa Sommelier Got His Start in a Diner
Eater San Francisco
November 8, 2024
His excitement about wines comes across to diners, says Derek Baljeu, winemaker at Knights Bridge Winery in Calistoga. ‘He has a really joyful energy so he ends up bringing a level of upscale casual.’
— Maria C. Hunt