Conner Lee Chardonnay

2022
Conner Lee Chardonnay

The 2022 Conner Lee Chardonnay is starburst yellow with a tinge of seafoam in the glass. Forward aromatics of lime leaf, agave syrup, lemon balm and limestone lead to flavors of pomello, cannoli, white chocolate, and a mineral blue spark. beginning with fresh acidity the mouthfeel opens to breadth and loads of complexity. The long finish of lemon biscotti, melon, citrus pearls, and ocean water offers so much pleasure.

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Labeled Appellation

Columbia Valley

Varietal(s)

100% Chardonnay

Vinification

Fermented in barrel, slow and cool, over the course of months. Aged in the same barrel that it was fermented in, for 20 months, 100% new French oak barrels

Alcohol

14.9%

Cases Produced

107

Vintage Notes

The 2022 Tenor Conner Lee Chardonnay is a single vineyard wine from the Columbia Valley AVA.

The winemaking team worked with our vineyard manager to restrict yields, creating concentrated, expressive berries. Canopy management and irrigation strategies were implemented to highlight the unique aspects of the vintage. Flavor development and sugar accumulation occurred on a similar trajectory.

Harvest was in the early mornings of the first week of October. At the winery, the fruit was whole cluster pressed directly to 100% new French oak.

Barrels of varying formats were selected to create layers of complexity. Fermentation was done at a low temperature, lasting several months. Full malolactic fermentation added weight and texture. The wine was barrel aged for 20 months and then racked off of its lees after one year. The final blend was cold stabilized in tank and bottled unfined and unfiltered, producing only 107 cases.

The final wine is 100% Wente clone Chardonnay planted in 1989 and 1992.

Expert Reviews & Scores

Jeremy Young, International Wine Report

96 / 100

The moderate-plus acidity cuts through the richness, energizing the wine’s core and allowing its citrus and mineral notes to glide gracefully across the finish. As it develops in the glass, subtle hints of chamomile, vanilla bean, and beeswax add further dimension. The interplay between weight and tension is captivating, resulting in a wine that feels both luxurious and finely tuned. Highly recommended.

Virginie Boonejebdunnuck.com

95 / 100

From 30-year-old, low-yielding vines growing in moon dust sandy soils, the 2022 Chardonnay Conner Lee Vineyard tastes of golden honey, apricot, green apple, and white flower and has great midpalate concentration. Saline and floral components accent a core of nervy acidity, the wine intended to be appealing and pleasurable in its youth, though aging another 10-12 years should also be interesting.

Owen Bargreenowenbargreen.com

96 / 100

The 2022 Tenor ‘Connor Lee Vineyard’ Chardonnay comes from this site that is one of the oldest plantings for this varietal in the state. A brilliant golden hue, this delivers buttercream and roasted pineapple on the nose alongside cloves and shades of bananas foster. The palate is rich and unctuous with loads of underlying finesse. The flavor density here is outstanding, offering generous citrus, melon and tropical fruit flavors. Luxurious in its body and waxy texture, enjoy this beauty now and over the next ten plus years.

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