2022 Mayacamas Mount Veeder Chardonnay

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 10% new French oak. It's a brilliant wine and has been for decades.

A broad, generous wine that's also nicely crisp, balanced, intricate and layered. Baked apples, lemon butter, toasted almonds, minerals and an appetizing, chalky edge in the finish. Medium-bodied, long, lingering, layered and complex. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.