2023 Shibumi Knoll Chardonnay Buena Tierra Vineyard, Russian River Valley
San Francisco Wine Panel Score 98+ Points
As stylish as could be hoped already, yet still a youngster, this is a great Chardonnay in the making. The aromas are centered on peach and apple fruits, with emerging suggestions of toasted coconut, mango and banana, these gracefully merged with an equally seductive undercurrent of honey, hazelnut nougat and some understated minerality. It is rich in body yet sleek in texture on the palate, where all the expected flavors make an appearance, yet remain a bit youthfully coiled. Minerality plays a slightly larger part in the finishing flavors, which are attractively lingering. If already delicious, this beauty is destined to be much more so if allowed another eighteen to thirty months of cellar time. 300 cases produced.