Tapanappa Tiers Vineyard Chardonnay 2022

The 2022 Tapanappa Tiers Vineyard Chardonnay showcases the exceptional quality that the Tiers Vineyard continues to produce, building on the legacy of previous vintages. This year’s release reflects a near-perfect growing season, with warm, dry conditions throughout the summer and a cool, gentle autumn that allowed the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly. The result is a wine that combines the hallmark richness and texture of the Tiers Vineyard with a remarkable level of finesse and precision.

The bouquet opens with bright citrus notes of lemon and lime, layered with ripe stone fruit, including peach and nectarine, along with hints of roasted cashew and subtle oak spice. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet incredibly balanced, offering vibrant fruit intensity paired with a creamy texture that is typical of the Tiers style. The wine’s fine acidity provides a refreshing lift, cutting through the richness, leading to a long, clean finish that carries notes of citrus zest and flint. This is a Chardonnay that is immediately appealing yet possesses the structure and depth to evolve beautifully with time.

Hand-harvested from the Tiers Vineyard’s 1979-planted block, the grapes were carefully chilled to preserve their freshness before being gently pressed. The juice was then fermented in French oak barriques (33% new) for two months, allowing the wine to develop complexity and depth. After fermentation, the wine was aged on full lees for several months before being racked and bottled in early 2023.