TASTING NOTES:
The 2023 Chardonnay Estate Reserve is magnificent. Tangerine peel, hazelnut, spice, menthol, baked apple tart and pastry are some of the many nuances that open in the glass. The Reserve offers a captivating mix of vibrancy and textural viscosity. Creamy, resonant contours wrap up the plush close. There’s striking richness and mind-blowing overall balance to match a long finish that reverberates for an eternity. The Reserve is a blend of sections within three blocks on the property planted mostly with variations of older Wente selections that are distinguished by longer hang times. It is one of several wines I have tasted from this part of the West Sonoma Coast that suggests Chardonnay may ultimately hold more potential than Pinot Noir. What a wine!
- Vinous, 100 pts.
The Reserve Chardonnay reflects intention in the glass. Sourced from the best blocks at Platt (17, 18, and 19), which the vineyard team considers to be more age-worthy, it offers a deeper, more layered expression of the site. Aromas lean toward orange blossom, lemon oil, ripe white peach, and buttery pastry shell. The palate is generous and textured, with a creamy, curd-like richness that brings to mind lemon wafer cookies. The finish is bright and lingers with a fine, chalky texture that adds balance.
- Decanter, 97 pts.
A mouthwatering, full-bodied wine with a range of citrus flavors framed with blond-wood tones. Delicate white flowers with an iodine-like minerality and layers of richness and salinity in the finish. Built for aging. Drink from 2026.
- James Suckling, 96 pts.
