Mason Vineyard L’avenir Chardonnay 2022

Winemakers Notes

On its second release in bottle (vines planted in 2018), the 2022 Mason Vineyard Chardonnay was hand picked and whole cluster pressed then settled in a cold tank. It was then racked while keeping fluffy lees and then left to go through a primary and secondary wild fermentation. Once complete, it spent 17 months élevage in oak – about 30% second fill, 10% third fill and the remainder neutral. It has gone through complete malolactic with a light bentonite fining.

Brilliant, greenish gold in the glass. Subdued aromatics upon first pouring, but with a bit of swirling and some time in the glass, it steadily opens up to reveal a beautiful perfume. The nose continues to offer up an ever-increasing array of complex and intriguing aromas with each passing glass. Peach pit, nectarine, ripe apple, citronella, mandarin orange, orchard blossom and candied ginger all make an appearance. Supporting the layers of fruit and flowers is a hint of something sappy and resinous; almost coniferous in nature. A lees derived grace note adds further dimension to this sophisticated wine’s aromatic profile.