Sourced from the Ritchie Vineyard in the Russian River Valley (unquestionably a Grand Cru site) and all old Wente Clones aged in one-third new French oak, the 2017 Chardonnay Ma Princesse is a richer, more powerful Chardonnay and has awesome notes of honeysuckle, brioche, orange blossom, hazelnuts, and citrus. This beauty shows some obvious minerality on the palate, with bright, racy acidity, tons of fruit, and a great finish. It’s up there with the crème de la crème of the vintage.

Ma Princesse comes from the Richie vineyard in Russian River, planted to Old Wente clone selection, from vines that are 50+ years old. The 2017 Chardonnay Ma Princesse is a little reticent to begin, opening slowly with delicate notes of lemon meringue pie, white peaches and lime leaves plus emerging nuances of wet slate, paraffin wax, struck flint and croissant with a waft of praline. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is tightly wound and packed with taut citrus and mineral layers, framed by fantastic freshness and a satiny texture, finishing wonderfully tangy. 350 cases were made. - LPB