Mayacamas Vineyards, Chardonnay, Mount Veeder, California, 2023

Overview of the Wine
Founded in 1889, Mayacamas stands as one of the most storied vineyard and winery operations in the history of American wine. Through its more than 125 years of production, Mayacamas has earned its place as a standard-bearer of traditional winemaking, and the source of some of California’s most iconic and longest-lived bottles.

Named for mountain range that divide the Napa and Sonoma valleys, the old stone winery was dug into the side of a dormant volcano crater in 1889 and has remained in production ever since. For generations, methods and tools have been passed from owner to owner, and the Mayacamas style has remained remarkably consistent.

As the newest owners in a lineage of pioneering caretakers spanning numerous generations, we faithfully steward Mayacamas towards a bright future, ever mindful of the great traditions of the past. Since 2013, our team has worked tirelessly to restore all aspects of the Mayacamas operation, ensuring continued success for this unique American story.

Organic.

Grape / Blend
Chardonnay

Origin
Napa Valley, California

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
The 2023 Chardonnay is a textural driven experience and a multi-layered wine with aromatics of white and yellow flowers. Tones of Anjou pear, Golden Delicious apple, and candied lemon peel engage the front of the palate. The mid-palate exhibits structure and depth with nuances of chamomile, yuzu citrus, and lemon-grass. The wine's finish is long and leaves the back palate with a saline and flint driven minerality.

95 Points - James Suckling
This elegant, concentrated wine from a long, cool growing season is restrained, taut and fresh. It will be best with more time in the bottle, but it’s so fascinating now for the racy acidity and the mineral, almond and green apple flavors. It's tangy, medium-bodied, layered and linear in feel, with a texture that's mouthwatering. From organically grown grapes.

94 Points - Vinous
The 2023 Chardonnay is a potent mountain Chardonnay endowed with tremendous phenolic structure and overall depth. Lemon peel, sage, mint, chamomile and dried flowers are front and center. Broad and imposing, with notable depth, the 2023 is a wine to cellar for at least a few years. Strong earthy and mineral inflections explode on the finish. The 2023 spent ten months in barrel prior to bottling, half in large-format oak. 

92 Points - Wine Spectator
Bold and generous, with intense flavors of grilled Meyer lemon, kumquat and pear, plus a touch of candied lemon peel. The vibrancy is supported by energetic acidity that gives focus and intensity, with notes of crushed stone, lemon balm and lemon verbena on the finish. Drink now through 2035. 2,260 cases made.

Product size: 750ml