2022 Cattleya ‘The Temptress’ Chardonnay Russian River Valley

VIN96 The 2022 Chardonnay The Temptress hails from the Martinelli Road Vineyard in the Russian River Valley. Aged for 14 months in 38% new French oak, it’s an oily, voluptuous, texturally captivating wine. Ripe pear, apricot, marzipan, hazelnut, and clementine aromas lead off, finishing with a trace of herbs— thyme, tarragon, and mint. So round, long and caressing this full-bodied Chardonnay is stuffed to the gills but manages to remain ithe and measured. It finishes almost comically long. What a beauty.
JD95 Pouring a slightly deeper yellow/green hue, the 2022 Chardonnay The Temptress offers more opulence and decadence on the nose, with notes of ripe peach, melon, wildflowers, honeyed citrus, and a hint of sweet baking spice. Full-bodied, it is generous but keeps a cinched frame through the palate. With a lush texture and a clean finish, it’s long on the palate and is going to drink well over the coming 8-10 years.