I tasted the 2022 Chardonnay La Carrière from tank on the day of its bottling. It has an alluring delicacy on the nose with soft scents of peach, apricot, meringue, toasted bread and honeysuckle with nuances of roasted almonds and flint. The palate combines a bright spine of acidity with a satiny texture and expansive, layered stone fruit and spice layers, and it has a very long finish. 1,503 cases will be made, and the La Carrière will be released in February of 2024.

This stunning white offers a lovely mix of marzipan and nougat, with notes of orange sherbet, lemon blossoms, salted toffee and peach preserves on a smooth, supple and elegant frame, backed by fresh acidity. Grace notes of lemon balm and lemon thyme, plus a touch of vetiver, add to the aromatic appeal and complexity. Drink now through 2037. 1,503 cases made.

The 2022 Chardonnay La Carriere is a deep, potent wine with real phenolic intensity. The low yields of the vintage are evident in the decidedly rich, structured Chardonnay. I would cellar the 2022 for at least a few years, as it is quite the powerhouse at this early stage. Hints of apricot, chamomile, lemon peel and white flowers fill out the layers nicely.