2021 "Ma Princesse"

The 2021 Chardonnay Ma Princesse is racy and super-expressive right out of the gate. Lemon confit, marzipan, passionfruit and sweet spice are beautifully layered. There's lovely mid-palate oiliness and texture here, along with plenty of richness, but no excess weight. This is the most overt of Luc and Jodie Morlet's Chardonnays.

- Antonio Galloni (12/2023)

The 2021 Chardonnay Ma Princesse comes from the Ritchie Vineyard in the Russian River Valley, which is planted to the old Wente clone of Chardonnay and produces small clusters with tiny little berries. In the glass, the wine reveals notes of preserved citrus, wet stone, wildflowers, vanilla bean spice, and fresh pear. Medium to full-bodied, it’s more linear in feel, with more citrus on the palate, although it retains beautiful, fresh, floral notes through its long finish. It carries fantastic tension, concentration, and elegance, with persistent energy driving the wine. It’s phenomenal and is only going to improve with another few years in the cellar. Drink 2024-2036. (06/2024)

The 2021 Chardonnay Ma Princesse comes entirely from Old Wente clone in the Ritchie Vineyard, planted with 50-year+ vines on Goldridge and Volcanic soils. It comes bounding out with notes of pie crust, allspice, and candied lemon leading to a core of apricots, praline, and lime blossom. The medium to full-bodied palate is wonderfully silky, with a well-knit racy line cutting through the intense citrus and spicy layers, finishing with a minerally lift. (02/2024)

Assembled from barrel for this tasting, the 2021 Chardonnay Ma Princesse is a standout this vintage, being plump and succulent, with pear, melon and citrus shadings. It's medium to full-bodied, rich and concentrated yet shows tremendous length and elegance on the finish.

- Joe Czerwinski (03/2023)