Martin Ray
2023 Chardonnay
, Russian River Valley

92 Points, James Suckling

Aromas of Granny Smith apple, Bartlett pear, and lemon pith with hints of ginger.  Juicy citrus throughout, with a touch of pineapple, and a subtle salinity that carries. Round and full, with ample acidity, and a linear core that cuts through layers of fruit.  A true representation of cool-climate Chardonnay, this wine offers ripe fruit with incredible concentration, framed by lively acidity and mineral finish. 

Hard to resist now and will be rewarded with additional cellar aging.

VINEYARDS

From the coolest pockets spanning the Russian River Valley, each site experiences its own distinct microclimate.  Low-laying fog in the morning with ample sun exposure in the afternoon, and cool evening breezes help develop complex fruit profiles while maintaining ample acidity.

WINEMAKING NOTES

Fermented and aged exclusively in concrete eggs.  Gently whole cluster pressed, cold-settled for two days, with only native yeast fermentation. The wine was then racked into vessels and aged on the lees for 6 months.

VINTAGE

A winter abundant in rain and cool temperatures led to late budbreak and a temperate spring.  Moderate temperatures throughout the summer, with few heat spikes allowed for even ripening with higher-than-average yields.  This long growing season resulted in ideal phenolic ripeness, with the fruit retaining its natural acidity, while developing incredible concentration.

Vintage:  2023
Varietal Composition:  100% Chardonnay
Appellation:  Russian River Valley
Aging:  100% Concrete egg
Brix:  22.8
pH:  3.3
TA:  6.2 g/L
Release Date:  June 2024
Alcohol:  13.5%

Tasting Notes  PDF

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