"Chalone isn't a label; it's a place on earth." The wines speak to the limestone and decomposed granite soils that are specific to this wild, isolated mountain plateau in Monterey County. The low-nutrient soils make the vines struggle and give the wines unique minerality; the diurnal temperature swings and cool winds retain acidity; the intense sunshine builds flavors and tannin structure; and the age of the vines enhances the wines' concentration, complexity and ageability.
The 2022 Estate Chardonnay opens with notes of banana, vanilla, lemongrass, honey, Meyer lemon, and plenty of wet slate and river rock minerality. Flavors on the palate mirror the nose, adding stone fruits and toasty oak characters to round out this medium-bodied delightful Chardonnay.
WINE SPECTATOR 92 POINTS - "Very pretty and refined, showing juicy citrus and stone fruit flavors that are fresh and concentrated, with seamless, elegant notes of Honeycrisp apple, lemon curd and peach pastry, backed by a long, expressive finish. Drink now. 5,200 cases made."
The 2022 Estate Chardonnay opens with notes of banana, vanilla, lemongrass, honey, Meyer lemon, and plenty of wet slate and river rock minerality. Flavors on the palate mirror the nose, adding stone fruits and toasty oak characters to round out this medium-bodied delightful Chardonnay.
WINE SPECTATOR 92 POINTS - "Very pretty and refined, showing juicy citrus and stone fruit flavors that are fresh and concentrated, with seamless, elegant notes of Honeycrisp apple, lemon curd and peach pastry, backed by a long, expressive finish. Drink now. 5,200 cases made."
