Peay Vineyards Estate Chardonnay 2020 750ml

I’m just going to say it, Vanessa Wong knows how to make superb Chardonnay. Of course, the fruit Nick grows on our estate vineyard is none too shabby and provides the material for her to work. But the human part of our terroir, the Vanessa Wong sensibility with the Chardonnay grape, comes through in every vintage as she shapes this wine highlighting what makes Peay Chardonnay distinct. The texture of our Chardonnay walks a tightrope between silkiness and linearity. The fruit expression hints at tree fruits like apples and pears but keeps the other foot in the citrus bowl. There are indications of barrel richness tamed by powerful acidity and freshness. And this all only gets more interesting if you age the wines and the elements coalesce into that singular expression of Peay Chardonnay. The 2020 Estate Chardonnay continues down this path and features an engaging nose of apple pears, orange marmalade, and a hint of Gaia melon. These high tone notes float around a toasty English muffin aroma with a hint of almond milk. The texture is quite captivating, a little silky like panna cotta, yet brisk with salty notes. Despite a hot vintage, this is a very well-balanced Chardonnay and will be terrific for the next 10+ years. 435 cases Clones: 39% Hyde/Old Wente; 29% Robert Young; 13% Hudson/Old Wente; 8% 96; 7% 95; 4% 76 Winemaking: Native yeast, 100% ML, aged on lees for 11 months in 25% new French oak barrels. Alcohol/ TA/pH: 13.3%/0.50/3.64