Nickel & Nickel Truchard Vineyard Chardonnay 2023 (750ml)
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Description
Nickel & Nickel's 2023 Chardonnay comes from Truchard Vineyard, a cool site in Carneros on the east side of Coombsville. The grapes were aged ten months in French oak (20% new) with minimal stirring and no malolactic fermentation, a restraint that preserves varietal character and freshness.
The wine carries the minerality and brightness you'd expect from a cool vineyard: crisp acidity frames crunchy yellow apple and firm pear, with a wet slate quality running underneath. Baking spice and toasted almond notes from oak add texture without overwhelming the fruit. There's a hint of wildflower and mountain grass that keeps things lively and elegant. Medium-bodied but generous on the palate, this Chardonnay feels complete now but will age gracefully for those who prefer to hold.
Expert Reviews
Nickel & Nickel's Berlenbach Vineyard Chardonnay was aged 10 months in 20% new French oak, with minimal stirring and no malolactic fermentation. The grapes were sourced from the 7ha Berlenbach site, owned by the Far Niente family, located on the east side of Coombsville with a picturesque western exposure. The vineyard's soils consist of volcanic ash, gravel, and well-draining loam, making it the coolest site they harvest from—a characteristic reflected in the wine's vibrant freshness. The finished wine exhibits crisp, crunchy acidity and a cool, wet slate minerality. Elegant baking spice notes intermingle with crunchy yellow apple, firm, ripe pear, and subtle wildflower nuances. A hint of mountain grass and crushed salted Marcona almonds adds depth to the medium-bodied finish, making this Chardonnay both refined and expressive.
The freshness and pure fruit flavors of this generous wine ring clear as a bell. Crisp green apples, Bosc pears and subtle oak spices like vanilla bean and toasted almonds fill the palate. While medium-bodied, it feels full and generous and has a lingering finish. Drink now or hold. (James Suckling)