Mayacamas - Chardonnay Mount Veeder 2022

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "After a little swirling of the 2022 Chardonnay, exuberant notes of juicy pears, Golden Delicious apples, and white peaches jump from the glass, followed by hints of allspice, honeysuckle, and candle wax. The light to medium-bodied palate is crisp and refreshing with a delicate silkiness to the texture and bright, pure, orchard-fruit flavors, finishing long and steely."

DECANTER: "A bouquet of dried white wildflowers, hints of cardamom and salty sea spray and a bright whiff of lemon zest. Bright and beguiling, with savoury saline notes jumping off the palate. Briny oyster shell, fresh tarragon and thyme are given over to candied lemon peel, finishing with savoury, lemongrass intensity. Beautiful and classic. Supple, elegant and fresh from the top of Mt Veeder, this is a California Chardonnay that never goes through malolactic fermentation and does not usually see battonage – all to craft intense, mountain-grown Napa Chardonnay of verve and brilliance. The five Chardonnay blocks are found at elevations between 550 to 640 meters. The wine is 85% whole cluster in only about 4% new French oak. It's a brilliant wine and has been for decades."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Scents of lemon curd and pencil shavings appear on the nose of the 2022 Chardonnay. A lean, lithe effort that weighs in at under 14% alcohol, it's medium-bodied, crisp and clean, with a bright, refreshingly lemony finish. It adheres to the winery's hallmark non-malolactic style and should drink well and evolve nicely over time."