critic reviews
The 2022 Chardonnay Justice Vineyard is intense, nearly smoky in the best possible way, with a burst of dusty florals, savory herbs and dried apricots. It’s salty and concentrated but silken in texture—almost weighty in feel. Masses of ripe orchard fruits and salty minerals add tremendous depth. It leaves the palate stained in primary concentration, tapering off structured and long with a saline tinge and hints of Asian pear that slowly fade. This is a beast of a wine.
The 2022 Chardonnay Justice Vineyard comes from vines planted in both volcanic and marine sedimentary soils in 1999. It was fermented and matured in 35% new, 350-liter barrels for 12 months and finished with four months in stainless steel. It opens spicy and flinty on the nose and requires plenty of air to reveal deeper, honeyed tones. The palate is much more open at this stage. Dry extract coats the mouth, while taut acidity corsets its honeyed fruit. It has what it needs to be long lived in the cellar. 150 cases were made.