Morlet Family Vineyards Chardonnay Ma Douce Fort Ross-Seaview 2022

“The 2022 Chardonnay Ma Douce springs from the glass with youthful notes of lemon tart, lime cordial, and orange blossom plus suggestions of baker's yeast, shaved almonds, and chalk dust. The medium to full-bodied palate offers impressive tension and great zesty vibrancy packaged in a silky texture, finishing on a lingering chalky note.”

“The 2022 Chardonnay Ma Douce pours a medium yellow hue with a delicate haze (like the majority of the family’s white wines), the result of being produced unfiltered. It comes from the Fort-Ross Seaview area of Sonoma, with a more coastal influence, at high elevations ranging from 1300-1500 feet above sea level. They were able to harvest the vineyard before the heat wave that came through the region over Labor Day, and the wine retains a characterizable lush but fresh feel. It takes on a pleasing warmth on the nose, with notes of sea spray, candied lemon drops, honeydew melon, and sweet cream. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the palate with its pithy texture through the long finish, but it never turns bitter. It’s a fantastic wine to enjoy over the next 10 years. 290 cases were produced.”

“Morlet's 2022 Chardonnay Ma Douce is less aromatically expressive than the 2021 and comes with a bit of haze in the glass. Pay no attention to that, as the wine is delicious—plump, round and ripe on the attack, with bright melon and citrus flavors, then firms up a bit on the finish. Because of the drought, yields were down about 30%, according to Morlet.”