2021 Moone Tsai 'Paige Cuvee' Chardonnay, Russian River Valley

Philippe Melka, Bordeaux-bred (Chateau Haut Brion, Petrus) and recently heralded by Robert Parker as one of the top nine winemakers in the world. “Where possible, I will minimize winemaking techniques in the cellar so I can create a wine that tells the story of the vineyard. In the end, it must be about the fruit.”

Early inspection of this delightful study in Chardonnay allows for its golden, lemony hue to provide a delicate feint for what’s in store. Hints of star jasmine open the wine’s nose with a delicate, floral suggestion, with entreaties of juicy pear with Golden Delicious apple not far behind. The wine’s attack opens like the first stanza of a lovely ballad, inviting interest to a mid-palate resonating with notes of mandarin, kumquat, candied lemon peel, and a dusting of ginger snap as the wine’s finish is revealed. Whole cluster-pressed, barrel fermented, and aged 17 months sur lie in 45% new French oak, the wine’s superb balance, medium-body, and minerally freshness will allow this 100% Chardonnay to please palates from release to maturity in a manner befitting its namesake.

95 POINTS - ROBERT PARKER