2019 Ma Douce Chardonnay
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The 2019 Chardonnay Ma Douce comes across as quite subdued in this vintage. Lemon confit tangerine oil, mint, crushed rocks and pineapple lend notable aromatic brilliance, but is less forthcoming on the palate, where it feels a bit reticent. Readers will have to be patient. This is a gorgeous wine in the making.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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The 2019 Chardonnay Ma Douce is a beauty, and it has a slightly richer style than the 2020 while staying pure, focused, and elegant. Gorgeous honeysuckle, white flowers, toasted bread, and stone fruits emerge from the glass, and it's medium to full-bodied and flawlessly balanced, with integrated acidity and a great finish. It's brilliant today with air yet will benefit from a year in bottle and have at least a decade of longevity.
Ma Douce comes from a vineyard in Fort Ross-Seaview—not far from Marcassin vineyard. It is planted mainly to Old Wente clone selection. A barrel sample to be bottled in February 2021, the 2019 Chardonnay Ma Douce charges out of the gate with exuberant notes of ripe Bosc pears, green guava and applesauce with suggestions of powdered ginger, honeycomb and peach blossoms. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers mouth-coating apple and pear layers with loads of spicy accents and balanced freshness, finishing long and fragrant. 500 cases are due to be made.