Pulido Walker, Chardonnay, Mt. Veeder Estate, Napa Valley, 2022
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Overview of the Wine
Our winemaking focuses on expressing the citrus and mineral qualities of the wine, eschewing the more tropical notes that can dominate super-ripe Chardonnay. The Louis Latour barrels do an excellent job of pulling those desirable citrus and mineral characteristics out of the wine, and the new wood complements the juice well.
The final blend of the 2021 Pulido~Walker Estate Chardonnay is predominately Wente, which contributes big bursts of sea spray and citrus fruits. This dynamic fruit is nicely tempered by the small percentage of Montrachet that brings pressed flowers, beeswax, and lanolin—classic attributes of Chardonnay that add complexity in smaller quantities. Rounding out the blend, the Robert Young Clone continues to add cut hay, white chocolate, and more citrus fruits.
The Pulido~Walker Estate Chardonnay will always be a Cabernet Sauvignon lover’s wine. It is a voluminous Chardonnay, deeply textured, with excellent palate weight and impact. The 2021 vintage is a resounding affirmation of our efforts in the vineyard and confirms the emergence of a consistent vineyard profile. With our focus on continuous improvement of quality farming practices in combination with a favorable growing season, Pulido~Walker is able to offer an increased quantity of Estate Chardonnay while maintaining the exceptional quality of prior vintages. This is a reliable standout from the Pulido~Walker Mt. Veeder Estate.
Winemaker
Thomas Rivers Brown
The Pulido~Walker Mt. Veeder Estate Vineyard is meticulously planted, drawing on several years of data collection prior to putting a single vine or rootstock in the ground. It has been quite the voyage of discovery shepherding this wine from the initial planting of clones 15, 30, 169, and 685 to the release of this inaugural vintage. We decided to harvest by clone and ferment the four wine lots individually. It was unanimous: the lots from clones 15 and 685 were standouts.
Mark Pulido and Donna Walker are immensely gratified that right out of the gate, this Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is every inch the thoroughbred, easily rivaling the wine from its sister vineyard on Pritchard Hill and a welcomed companion.
Grape / Blend
Chardonnay
Origin
Napa Valley, California
Winemaker's Tasting Notes
What struck us as we tasted through the 2022 Mt. Veeder Estate Chardonnay lots was how excellent each one was individually. Each clone held its own in compelling ways, without upstaging the others.
The Montrachet has a pressed-flower quality that might tend toward flatness except for the great acidity and mid-palate stuffing that round it out. This clone brings pastry notes of fresh-baked brioche. The Robert Young supplies pretty, high-toned Chardonnay elements: sea spray, honeysuckle, beeswax, and lanolin. The Wente exhibits a quality that imparts palate weight and, thanks again to the acidity, maintains a consistent freshness.
The 2023 Pulido~Walker Estate Chardonnay is the best yet that we’ve seen from this mountaintop site, and only heightens our expectation for vintages to come as the vineyard continues to mature.
94 Points - Vinous
The 2022 Chardonnay is a very pretty, elegant wine. Lemon confit, white pepper, tangerine peel, pine resin and baked apple tart unfurl effortlessly in the glass. This is such a distinctive Chardonnay from the estate vineyard on Mt. Veeder at 900 feet in elevation.
Product size: 750ml
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