2023 McCrea Chardonnay Sonoma Mountain
Notes
Green-tinged, pale yellow. White pear flesh, white chalk, white about to open citrus flowers and hints of white pepper on the nose. Its ever-present suggestion of grapefruit, that speaks to where the fruit and the skin meet, fruited but not fruity, layers of savory. Medium to plus weighted on the palate, run through with a striking natural acidity tension. Silken yet structured it lingers through a quite long and lasting finish. A special look at McCrea.
Reviews
97
Lisa Perrotti-Brown
The 2023 Chardonnay McCrea Vineyard slowly emerges from the glass with notes of juicy grapefruit, green apples, and orange blossoms, followed by hints of lime cordial, chalk dust, and powdered ginger. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers an electric intensity of citrus fruit flavors with a lively backbone and satiny texture, finishing with a spicy lift.
98
Jim Gordon
So pure and ripe yet tangy, offering great balance on a full body. It's a classic, memorable California wine, brimming with ripe pears, golden apples and buttery, toasty accents that swell on the palate and linger long in the finish. Made from the Ahern estate that the Kistler team manages. Drink now or hold.
95
Audrey Frick
The 2023 Chardonnay McCrAudrey Frickea Vineyard Athearn Estate is a full-bodied offering from the Sonoma Mountain. On the nose, it offers aromas of smoky wet stones, honeyed citrus, lemon oil, verbena, and poached apples. The palate opens to notes of golden fruits, peaches and pineapples, with a salty finish and a stony darkness to its texture. Drink over the coming 8-10 years.
94
Antonio Galloni
The 2023 Chardonnay McCrea Vineyard is a classy, elegant wine. Apricot, chalk, graphite and dried herbs confer a decidedly savory flair to this layered, super-expressive Chardonnay. Time in the glass brings out brisk acids and compelling brightness to round things out. This is an especially fine McCrea. As always, the vineyard-designate bottling emerges from sections of the vineyard planted on white ash. These days, winemaker Jason Kesner prefers to pick a bit earlier than in the past. That is especially evident in the McCrea in 2023.