Solaksen Chardonnay

2022
Solaksen Chardonnay

The 2022 Solaksen Chardonnay is Sunkissed yellow with green flecks in the glass. Pretty aromatics of jasmine, honeycomb, vanilla Danish, and sea spray lead to flavors of lemon curd, honeysuckle, orgeat, and river rock. Broad and harmonious, the upfront viscosity transitions to focused acidity. The wine finishes with creme fraiche, bruleed demerara sugar, and citrus peel.

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Labeled Appellation

Royal Slope

Varietal(s)

100% Chardonnay

Vinification

Fermented in 100% stainless steel. Aged for 20 months 100% new French oak barrels.

Alcohol

14.9%

Cases Produced

111

Vintage Notes

The 2022 Tenor Solaksen Chardonnay is a single vineyard wine from the Royal Slope 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 into 100% stainless steel.

Fermentation was done at a low temperature, lasting several months. Full malolactic fermentation added weight and texture. The wine was aged in 100% new French oak barrels 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 111 cases.

The final wine is 100% Chardonnay, Clones 15 and 76, planted in 2015.

Expert Reviews & Scores

  • Jeremy Young, International Wine Report

    95 / 100

    The wine envelops the palate with a luxurious, full-bodied texture-opulent and mouth-coating, yet held in check by a well-measured line of acidity. Flavors of baked stone fruit, lemon curd, and buttered pastry unfold with intensity and poise. There’s a plush, glycerin-rich quality here, but also enough freshness to keep the finish lifted and resonant.

    Owen Bargreenowenbargreen.com

    95 / 100

    This 2022 Chardonnay comes from the Solaksen Vineyard in the Royal Slope AVA. This utilizes clone 15 and 76 selections that were planted in 2015. Soft and supple on the palate, this offers saline drenched lemon curd flavors alongside juicy peach, walnut and shades of salty soils. Complex and delicious, enjoy this beauty now and over the next ten plus years to come.

    Virginie Boonejebdunnuck.com

    94 / 100

    Grown at elevation on the northern edge of the appellation, the 2022 Chardonnay Solaksen Vineyard is a thick, rich, mineral-driven white with racy acidity and balance. It shows tremendous sophistication and full-bodied intentionality, offering densely delicious flavors of pear and nutmeg, the oak adding tension and additional spice. Age another 10-12 years.

  • Michael Alberty, Wine Enthusiast

    93 / 100

    This new single-vineyard wine from Tenor is a heck of a debut performance. I loved the way the wine's honeydew melon, butter, ginger and cinnamon flavors slipped and slid across a viscous mouthfeel. Don't worry, though, as there's enough acidity to keep things from getting too creamy. Golden Delicious apple, butter, flint and lemon verbena tea aromas were the cherry on top. Or in this case, lemon on top.

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