Cuvée Anne, Chardonnay, 2023
Cuvee Anne Chardonnay 2023 is a barrel selection from the Justice, Koosah, Sojeau, Witness Tree and X Novo vineyards, barrel-fermented and aged in 350L and 500L barrels for 12 months and finished for 4 months in stainless steel tank. Hints of sherbet, fine smoke, lime, conference pear and hazelnuts – plenty of taut, ripe fruit here. Less reductive than normal with a lovely balance of texture and tension. A more generous and relaxed package than past examples, but still with lots of that signature intensity.
critic reviews
The 2023 Chardonnay Cuvée Anne comes from several vineyards, including Justice, Koosah, Sojeau, Witness Tree and X Novo. It was barrel-fermented and matured in 45% new, 350- and 500-liter French oak for 12 months, plus an additional four months in stainless steel. It has alluring aromas of golden apple, nectarine, beeswax, hazelnut, flint and holiday spice. The medium-bodied palate is silky and mouthwatering with waves of ripe, spicy fruit, and it has a very long finish. 650 cases were made.
The 2023 Chardonnay Cuvée Anne opens with a delicate mix of crushed flint stones, white smoke and green apples. The palate is soothingly round, showing a salty mineral tinge up front and a reverberation of zesty acidity as crisp orchard fruits cascade across. Lime mingles with sour melon and a hint of spice as this tapers off with excellent length and supreme freshness.