Chardonnay Estate, Ridge Vineyards 2023

The 2023 Chardonnay Estate is bright, fresh and precisely articulated. Sourced entirely from the Monte Bello estate vineyard, the 2023 is a rounded, intensely concentrated wine that remains completely energized and lively from the vibrant first sip to the creamy finish. Shades of caramelized pear, white flowers and marzipan blossom in the glass. The Chardonnay was aged in a combination of 85% American and 15% French oak, 20% new. It's a fabulous edition of this bottling. (Drink between 2025-2035)

Ridge has made this Chardonnay from the Montebello estate since 1962, but it's less than 5% of the planted acres. This comes from the lower slopes of the original Klein Ranch. A long, cool growing season pushed this Chardonnay back a month in 2023, in terms of harvest dates. An extended hang time gives the wine a nice balance. While it's opulent and ripe, with vanilla bean and poached pear from 80% American oak, its whole cluster is pressed and spends 6-8 months sur lie with a weekly battonage. The palate is lushly fruited with creamy notes of lemon curd, baked apple and a bright, nearly savoury finish. Delicious. (Drink between 2025-2035)