Alexander Valley Vineyards Chardonnay — Alexander Valley, Sonoma County 2023
Alexander Valley Vineyards is one of Sonoma County’s most storied family estates, farming the Alexander Valley AVA with a precision and philosophy that has made their Chardonnay one of the appellation’s most consistent overachievers. The 2023 is built on a thoughtful split-harvest approach: 75% of the fruit is harvested at night when the grapes are cool, cold-fermented in stainless steel without malolactic fermentation or barrel aging to preserve bright citrus and green apple character; the remaining 25% is whole-cluster pressed and barrel-fermented in French oak, then aged on the lees for six to eight months to develop roundness, body, and complexity. The result is a full-bodied, beautifully balanced Chardonnay that earned 92 points from The Tasting Panel.
The nose opens with apple, pear, vanilla, floral notes, and a hint of oak — generous and inviting. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and lush with flavors of grilled pineapple, baked pear, nectarine, juicy peach, and tropical fruit, cut by a bright acidity and a mineral core that keeps everything focused. The finish is subtly buttery and vanilla-flecked, long and satisfying. It is the kind of Chardonnay that rewards both the casual drinker and the wine enthusiast.
The Tasting Panel 92 — “The balance between richer and more mouthwatering in this estate-grown Chardonnay is excellent. Grilled pineapple and baked pear are cut by acidity. The mineral core is a solid counterpart to the subtly buttery, vanilla-flecked finish.”
- Producer: Alexander Valley Vineyards, Healdsburg, Sonoma County, California
- Vintage: 2023
- Appellation: Alexander Valley AVA
- Region: Sonoma County, California
- Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
- Vinification: 75% night-harvested, stainless steel, no MLF; 25% whole-cluster pressed, French oak barrel-fermented, 6–8 months lees aging
- Closure: Screwcap
- Size: 750ml
- Tasting Notes: Apple, pear, pineapple, nectarine, peach, vanilla, floral, mineral, buttery finish
- Best Paired With: Roast chicken, grilled halibut, lobster bisque, soft cheeses, pasta in cream sauce
A 92-point estate Chardonnay from one of Sonoma’s most trusted family vineyards — Alexander Valley Vineyards is the benchmark for what night-harvested, lees-aged Alexander Valley Chardonnay can deliver.
<Show Less
